{"id":178,"date":"2011-05-16T00:00:34","date_gmt":"2011-05-16T04:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=178"},"modified":"2011-05-16T00:00:34","modified_gmt":"2011-05-16T04:00:34","slug":"day-zero-chapter-4-marin-02","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=178","title":{"rendered":"Day Zero – Chapter 4 – Marin – 02"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d\u00a0 Carolyn approached quietly, a makeshift ice pack in her hand, which she wrapped in the towel left for that purpose before crouching and settling it gently on Thom\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 He flinched, hissing, before the tenseness it caused by the sudden shock of the cold pack subsided and he sagged again.\u00a0 She winced herself, looking away from him and toward me.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I winced along with both of them, exhaling slowly.\u00a0 \u201cJacqueline said touch and go.\u00a0 Might be more wrong than she can figure.\u00a0 We can hope<\/em> otherwise, but\u2026\u201d\u00a0 I exhaled.\u00a0 \u201cWe can hope.\u201d\u00a0 I fidgeted, chewing on my lower lip and staring at him.\u00a0 She knelt next to me, hugged me briefly.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s too stubborn to die today, anyway.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled gently and hugged me again, settling down on the ground with me.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019re your legs?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHurt like hell.\u00a0 Calves burning.\u00a0 I\u2019d rather not be feeling my feet, but I don\u2019t get a vote there.\u201d\u00a0 I rubbed my eyes. \u00a0There was another good reason I wasn\u2019t leaving Thom\u2014my body just hurt too much for me to get very far.\u00a0 I looked at her, shifting my own position slightly.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t have anything to do now, huh?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She shrugged a little.\u00a0 \u201cNot until someone gives me something to do other than play runner.\u00a0 I don\u2019t mind it too much.\u00a0 Time to think a little.\u201d\u00a0 She rubbed her fingers, grimacing.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s cold.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI have a feeling it\u2019s going to get colder.\u201d\u00a0 I squeezed her hand, looking down at Thom.\u00a0 I rearranged his blanket.\u00a0 \u201cYou want something to do?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A wry smile twisted her lips.\u00a0 \u201cIf you send me to do something, they\u2019re not going to tell me not<\/em> to do it.\u00a0 What do you need?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot something I need\u2014something we\u2019re all going to need.\u00a0 Firewood.\u00a0 Before the rain comes. We\u2019ll need firewood.\u00a0 If you go out along the edge of the ravine, you\u2019ll probably find some deadwood dry enough for us to get burning later.\u00a0 If Matt\u2019s done, he can help.\u00a0 He knows what to look for.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019ll probably be putting together the pile\u2014hell, the <\/em>piles\u2014anyway.\u00a0 God.\u00a0 He\u2019s going to have to teach everyone how to cook on a fire, too.\u00a0 Thank god for Eagle Scouts!<\/em>\u00a0 I looked down at Thom.\u00a0 He was one, too.\u00a0 Wonder how many of the staffers are.\u00a0 Davon and Drew?\u00a0 Does Rory know how to cook on a fire?\u00a0 I know he knows how to build one.\u00a0 J.T. knows how.\u00a0 Brandon?\u00a0 I know how to cook on a fire, just not well.\u00a0 Can\u2019t build one to save my life, though.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get started, then.\u201d\u00a0 She stood, squeezing my shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll be all right.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I smiled up at her wryly.\u00a0 \u201cHope you\u2019re right.\u201d\u00a0 Think maybe you\u2019re right.\u00a0 Doesn\u2019t help the dread, or the fear.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cIf Matt\u2019s done, have him bring my shit over here?\u00a0 I\u2019m going to stay with him.\u201d|
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carolyn smiled faintly, nodding.\u00a0 \u201cSure thing, Marin.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I smiled back as she departed, waving a little over her shoulder at me.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Carolyn.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And so I was alone again with Thom.\u00a0 I found his hand under his blankets, squeezed his fingers gently.\u00a0 I pulled up the cold pack, to check the knot on his head.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t seem any less tender, but the swelling seemed to have gone down maybe a little.\u00a0 He stirred slightly as I eased it back down again, but settled quickly, sighing softly.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGod, Thom.\u00a0 You certainly know how to push my buttons. Every last one of them.\u201d\u00a0 He had his finger down hard on the worry button right now.\u00a0 I\u2019d almost have been happier fighting with him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2026\u201cPush, Marin!\u00a0 One more, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I was in <\/em>agony, but pushed anyway, gasping for breath.\u00a0 The pain eased a moment later; whatever was coming out was out.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And started crying.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>Oh\u2026oh\u2026<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jacqueline grinned at me as she worked to clean up the squalling newborn.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a boy, Marin.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I blinked back tears.\u00a0 <\/em>A son.\u00a0 We have a son\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou okay, Marin?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I swallowed hard, struggling to steady myself as I looked up toward my little brother.\u00a0 He dropped my backpack and another bag nearby and threw a blanket at me, which I caught, wrapping it around myself.\u00a0 The blanket from my bed, in my room.\u00a0 From our parents, before they died.\u00a0 I smiled weakly at him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be okay.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou sure?\u201d\u00a0 He looked from me, down toward Thom, and then to me again.\u00a0 \u201cGoing to take some time to haul those last couple boxes out of your place.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I snorted softly.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re packed up.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got bigger things to worry about.\u00a0 Find my duffle?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah, it\u2019s in a pile under a tarp to worry about later.\u00a0 Carolyn needs my help with firewood.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I grinned at him.\u00a0 \u201cI know.\u00a0 Told her to find you if you were done with what you were doing in the buildings.\u00a0 Firewood\u2019s more important right now, I think, as long as we have clothes and blankets, which I think we\u2019ve got right now, right?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah.\u00a0 Terry and I hauled that stuff down and into one of the shelters first.\u00a0 Getting your keys helped expedite that process, I\u2019ll tell you that.\u201d\u00a0 He crossed his arms, leaning slightly against one of the \u2018walls\u2019 of the shelter.\u00a0 \u201cAre you seeing things again?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If anyone deserves to know, he does.<\/em>\u00a0 After a brief hesitation, I nodded.\u00a0 \u201cSnippets and fragments.\u00a0 Nothing huge.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d tell me if it was something huge?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I smiled lopsidedly.\u00a0 \u201cIf it would make a difference, yes.\u201d\u00a0 Otherwise, little brother, no reason to freak you or anyone else out.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matt snorted at me.\u00a0 \u201cRight.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah, right,\u201d I kept grinning.\u00a0 \u201cCarolyn?\u00a0 Firewood?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cRight.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let that one get you too riled up before he\u2019s well enough for me to slug, okay?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 God, little brother.\u00a0 So protective.<\/em>\u00a0 I shook my head.\u00a0 \u201cFirewood, Matt.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He waved vaguely and left me, jogging out of my range of vision a few moments later.\u00a0 For the moment, it was quiet.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t sure how long that would last.\u00a0 The smell of rain on the wind was getting stronger.\u00a0 It was coming, sure as the sunrise.\u00a0 They wouldn\u2019t have much time with that firewood.\u00a0 Hopefully they\u2019d find a good cache, and quickly.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I glanced down toward Thom.\u00a0 \u201cHope you heard that, Thom.\u00a0 No making me upset until Matt can make you pay for it.\u201d\u00a0 I gently ran my fingers across his forehead.\u00a0 He stirred once again, as if he was struggling to wake up, but something wasn\u2019t letting him.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t sure I wanted to know what, exactly.\u00a0 I probably wouldn\u2019t even ask when he woke up.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t worth the fight it would spark\u2014and it would inevitably spark a fight.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I wish we didn\u2019t fight all the time.<\/em>\u00a0 I hugged my knees against my chest, staring down at him.\u00a0 Wish he and I didn\u2019t feel so right when we <\/em>aren\u2019t fighting.\u00a0 Hell.\u00a0 Even feels right when we <\/em>are.\u00a0 Why the hell do you have to keep denying it, Thom?\u00a0 Why?<\/em>\u00a0 I shook my head at myself, at him.\u00a0 Well.\u00a0 He won\u2019t be able to deny it much longer.\u00a0 Not when everyone else\u2019s abilities begin to manifest.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d\u00a0 Carolyn approached quietly, a makeshift ice pack in her hand, which she wrapped in the towel left for that purpose before crouching and settling it gently on Thom\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 He flinched, hissing, before the tenseness it … 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":[6,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chapter-4","category-day-zero"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-2S","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178","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=178"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/178\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=178"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=178"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}