{"id":155,"date":"2011-05-06T00:00:56","date_gmt":"2011-05-06T04:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=155"},"modified":"2011-05-06T00:00:56","modified_gmt":"2011-05-06T04:00:56","slug":"day-zero-chapter-3-02","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=155","title":{"rendered":"Day Zero – Chapter 3 – 02"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He kept his eyes closed and tried not to move, tried not to even breathe too deeply.\u00a0 His ribs ached, like he\u2019d run for miles without stopping.\u00a0 His ankle throbbed, waves of pain rippling up his leg with every heartbeat, throbbing bone-deep.\u00a0 Everything hurt.\u00a0 Moving hurt, breathing hurt.\u00a0 He was dimly aware of voices speaking nearby, but he couldn\u2019t quite make out what they were saying.\u00a0 Thom drifted somewhere between waking and sleeping, lost in visions he tried to convince himself were nothing more than strange dreams.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She was always there.\u00a0 She was the one he\u2019d stayed here for, to say good-bye to her.\u00a0 He\u2019d been thinking about the words all day, even when he\u2019d been running up the stairs with\u2026who had he been with?…to get out of the building before it collapsed.\u00a0 How had he known that they should get out?\u00a0 That was hazy, either from a blow to the head or simply not wanting to remember.\u00a0 She<\/em> would have said he\u2019d had a premonition.\u00a0 He<\/em> would have told her he didn\u2019t believe in that.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not anymore.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not since the nightmare.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was why they fought, why their relationship was on the rocks, if it still existed at all.\u00a0 It was why he was saying good-bye instead of finding a way to go with her, why he had been trying to run away to Chicago\u2014to forget her.\u00a0 To forget the woman he loved, to leave and never see her again, only in his dreams and memories.\u00a0 Those he could never be rid of, and if he was really honest with himself, he didn\u2019t want to lose them.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to lose her, either, but it was getting too hard.\u00a0 Much too hard to love her but not be able to talk without fighting, to be together without an argument.\u00a0 He would keep his memories but run from the temptation to make more.\u00a0 It was the only way he was going to stay sane.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMarin.\u201d\u00a0 He reached for her tentatively, wincing as she flinched away from his touch.\u00a0 <\/em>What did I do now? He pushed himself upright, touching her shoulder, tugging gently.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She turned toward him, head bowed, tears glistening on her cheeks.\u00a0 His mouth went dry.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re crying.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Why is she crying?\u00a0 What did I do?\u00a0 God, what did I do now?<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She sniffled, wiping her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But she wasn\u2019t.\u00a0 <\/em>I know you too well, Marin.\u00a0 Don\u2019t lie to me.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not.\u00a0 What\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She was suddenly curled against his chest, her arms around him, clinging like a drowning man clings to anything that might keep him afloat.\u00a0 He put his arms around her, burying his nose in her hair, inhaling deeply.\u00a0 <\/em>I\u2019m such a fool.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust so afraid,\u201d she whispered as her tears soaked through his threadbare sleeping shirt.\u00a0 \u201cSo afraid I\u2019m going to lose you, Thom.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to lose you.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He shivered, holding her tighter.\u00a0 <\/em>I don\u2019t want to lose you, either, Mar.\u00a0 That\u2019s why\u2026\u00a0 He swallowed hard, struggling for words, holding her tightly.\u00a0 <\/em>How can we take the risk?\u00a0 I can\u2019t justify the risk\u2026\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t cry,\u201d he finally fumbled, struggling to breathe past a lump in his throat.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t cry, Marin.\u00a0 Please don\u2019t cry.\u201d\u00a0 He buried his nose in her hair, drawing a deep, unsteady breath.\u00a0 <\/em>Why?\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Why does she hurt so much and why does it hurt me so much to see her hurting so deeply?\u00a0 He squeezed his eyes shut.<\/em>\u00a0 What in god\u2019s name did I do?<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She just clung tighter and continued to weep.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He was dimly aware of voices, familiar voices, talking around him.\u00a0 He was likewise dimly aware of pain, though he couldn\u2019t pinpoint where it was coming from, only knew that it was there, that he hurt, his body hurt\u2014he was hurt, and probably badly.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t dare try to move.\u00a0 His mouth was dry, almost gritty.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t cry, Marin,\u201d he whispered, too quiet to be heard.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t cry\u2026\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHang in there, Thom,\u201d someone murmured, close to his face.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t her.\u00a0 Someone else.\u00a0 He squeezed his eyes more tightly closed.\u00a0 He wanted her<\/em>.\u00a0 Not someone else.\u00a0 Needed her<\/em>.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Where was she?\u00a0 Gone?\u00a0 Maybe\u2026<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Her fingers gently stroked his cheek and he opened his eyes, feeling as weary as she looked.\u00a0 She smiled at him, one corner of her mouth upturned, curling wryly.\u00a0 \u201cWelcome back,\u201d she murmured softly.\u00a0 \u201cGave me a scare.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe beat them off, that\u2019s what happened.\u201d\u00a0 She wrapped both her hands around one of his.\u00a0 \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have worried so much about me.\u00a0 But thank you anyway.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He started to sit up, hissing at pain in his ribs and falling back down again against the mattress.\u00a0 \u201cOw.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Her fingers tightened.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t.\u00a0 Jacqueline hasn\u2019t done much for your ribs yet.\u00a0 She just stitched you up so you wouldn\u2019t bleed to death.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His fingers felt stiff and cold as he squeezed her hands gently, trying to relax, to calm himself.\u00a0 \u201cThey didn\u2019t get too close, did they?\u00a0 Food\u2019s safe?\u00a0 Water supply?\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Are you all right?\u00a0 They better not have\u2026couldn\u2019t bear it if you were\u2026<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEverything\u2019s fine.\u201d\u00a0 She freed one hand from his and stroked his brow gently.\u00a0 \u201cSome wounded.\u00a0 You\u2019re one of the worst.\u00a0 Otherwise, everything\u2019s fine.\u00a0 We\u2019re safe, for now.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Good.\u00a0 Couldn\u2019t live if something happened to you\u2026\u00a0 \u201cGood.\u00a0 Hate to think what would happen if all of us got taken out at once.\u00a0 What would happen to the world\u2026\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She laughed.\u00a0 \u201cAs if we\u2019re all that important to the world.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>You are.\u00a0 He managed a tired smile.\u00a0 \u201cSome of us think so.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 His eyes fluttered open for a moment and he could see light somewhere above his head, saw dust glittering in the shaft of weak sunlight streaming down into the hole.\u00a0 He twitched.\u00a0 Pain lanced through him and he gasped despite himself.\u00a0 What was left of his vision became tinged in red as waves of pain washed over him, like storm surge over breakers.\u00a0 He gasped again, coughed, then subsided, unable to think\u2014unable to even breathe.\u00a0 Black washed over him, and even the visions, for a time, abated.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He kept his eyes closed and tried not to move, tried not to even breathe too deeply.\u00a0 His ribs ached, like he\u2019d run for miles without stopping.\u00a0 His ankle throbbed, waves of pain rippling up his leg with every … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chapter-03","category-day-zero"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-2v","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=155"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/155\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}