{"id":536,"date":"2011-08-22T00:00:27","date_gmt":"2011-08-22T04:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=536"},"modified":"2011-08-22T00:00:27","modified_gmt":"2011-08-22T04:00:27","slug":"day-10-chapter-9-09","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=536","title":{"rendered":"Day 10 – Chapter 9 – 09"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom sat quietly, staring at the bottle of pills in front of him, stroking the black furball ensconced in his lap.\u00a0 The kitten had apparently adopted he and Marin over the past few days, and nothing he did could convince the cat it wasn\u2019t a good idea.\u00a0 His ribs throbbed dully as his fingertip worried the kitten\u2019s ears, hurting worse than his sore ankle.\u00a0 Jacqueline was right.\u00a0 They were all right.\u00a0 He should just suck it up and take his damn medicine.\u00a0 I\u2019m just being a stubborn jackass.\u00a0 I know that.\u00a0 But why the hell did Jac have to say it like that?<\/em>\u00a0 Her words stung more than his ribs hurt or his ankle ached.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He took as deep of a breath as he dared, tapped three pills into his palm, then tossed them back in one go.\u00a0 He closed his eyes, grimacing as the pills stuck to the back of his tongue and throat, swallowing twice to force them down.\u00a0 The kitten\u2019s fur was soft beneath his fingers and he concentrated on that as the pills worked the way down his throat.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Something cold brushed against the back of his neck and he startled, opening his eyes and looking around.\u00a0 A shadow darted away from him, so quick he only caught it out of the corner of his eye.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Great.\u00a0 Now shit hurts so much I\u2019m seeing things.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Then he realized that the cat in his lap was shaking, and that goosebumps were racing up and down his limbs, the hair on the back of his neck stirring.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh hell.\u00a0 No.\u00a0 No, I\u2019m just seeing shit.\u00a0 It\u2019s the pain.\u00a0 I\u2019m probably running a fever, too.<\/em>\u00a0 He pressed the back of his hand against his forehead.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was cold.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A shudder went through him and he tried to leverage himself to his feet with one hand and one foot, reaching for his crutch with the other.\u00a0 The kitten mewled pitifully as he dislodged it and forced his way to his feet.\u00a0 He hobbled away from the mattress as what sounded like electronic static reached his ears.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What the hell?<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The sound built until he was almost certain it was static, so loud it made his head hurt, then ceased abruptly with the sound of a small explosion and a scream.\u00a0 Thom limped as fast as he could toward the source of the sound\u2014Must have been the radio set.\u00a0 What else would be making static noises like that?\u00a0 Someone must have been checking it.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matt reeled away from the desk where the radio once stood, crashing into Thom and taking them both to the ground.\u00a0 He was holding his face with one hand, blood seeping between his fingers, the other hand limp at his side, bleeding as freely as his face.\u00a0 Thom grunted, his own agony momentarily forgotten as he tried to get a handle on what was going on.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMatt!\u00a0 Matt<\/em>!\u00a0 Calm down.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The other man was shaking, eyes wide as he clutched his bleeding face.\u00a0 Where the radio used to be was a smoking wreck of twisted metal, smelling strongly of ozone.\u00a0 Thom wrapped his hands tightly around Matt\u2019s upper arms, squeezing hard.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened?\u201d\u00a0 Marin and Greg were there, probably because they\u2019d been closest when the blast happened.\u00a0 Thom glanced back over his shoulder at them both.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Keep them focused\u2014especially her.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cWe need Jac or Leah, and we need them now, with their kits and a couple suture kits.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMatt?\u201d\u00a0 Marin\u2019s chest suddenly convulsed and her eyes widened as she looked past Thom, toward her brother, who swayed slightly in Thom\u2019s grip.\u00a0 \u201cOh my god, what happened?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A muscle in Thom\u2019s jaw twitched.\u00a0 \u201cMar, get Leah and Jac<\/em>.\u00a0 Hurry, damn it, I\u2019ve got him.\u00a0 Professor, grab some towels, fast so we can get this bleeding under control.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Marin stared at him for a moment, hesitating, and he stared back, brow creasing.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cJust go, Mar,\u201d he whispered, trying to get his hand over the rent in Matt\u2019s face, other hand grasping his bleeding hand, hopefully tight enough to slow the bleeding.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got him.\u00a0 Go get them so they can help.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She swallowed hard and nodded, turning and dashing off, yelling for both Leah and Jacqueline.\u00a0 Thom struggled not to heave a sigh of relief.\u00a0 After all, they weren\u2019t out of the woods yet.\u00a0 He focused down on Matt, who was still shaking, lips moving silently as he and Thom both held onto his bleeding face.\u00a0 He was pale, shirt and skin darkened by soot.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t quit on me, Matt,\u201d Thom muttered, fingers tightening around Matt\u2019s bleeding hand, pressing harder against the gash on his face.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNot\u2026quitting,\u201d Matt whispered, almost too quiet to hear.\u00a0 His eyes met Thom\u2019s and he shivered.\u00a0 \u201cIt exploded.\u00a0 No reason\u2026\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cTell me later, after you\u2019ve got some stitches in your face.\u00a0 Just keep pressing.\u201d\u00a0 Exploded for no reason?<\/em>\u00a0 Thom glanced for a moment toward what was left of the radio, lips thinning.\u00a0 Exploded for no reason, but didn\u2019t kill him outright.\u00a0 Lucky break there.\u00a0 From the looks\u2026it could\u2019ve.<\/em>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRight,\u201d Matt said weakly, still shaking.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019s going into shock.\u00a0 Damn.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cKeep it together,\u201d Thom murmured.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTrying,\u201d Matt whispered.\u00a0 His eyelids were drooping.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not good.<\/em>\u00a0 \u201cMatt, look at me.\u00a0 Look at me.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The younger man struggled to focus, but after a few moments, his dark eyes met Thom\u2019s blue ones.\u00a0 Thom wet his lips.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t quit on us.\u00a0 Marin needs you.\u00a0 She\u2019s going to need you so, so much.\u00a0 All of us do.\u201d\u00a0 He sucked in a breath, voice a bare whisper.\u00a0 \u201cI need your help to make sure nothing happens to her.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want her to die.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want what I\u2019ve seen to come true.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matt\u2019s eyes widened.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI saw her dying,\u201d Thom whispered.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s why I tried to walk away, but I can\u2019t.\u00a0 I can\u2019t walk away.\u00a0 I need your help.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Color leached from Matt\u2019s face.\u00a0 His bleeding hand spasmed, gripping Thom\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why?\u201d\u00a0 He breathed.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matt\u2019s throat convulsed as he swallowed once, twice, and then again, jaw quivering for a moment.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAre you with me, Matt?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWith you, Thom,\u201d Matt whispered.\u00a0 He squeezed his eyes shut, jaw clenching.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood.\u00a0 Now hang on.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They could both hear the footsteps coming.\u00a0 Thom sucked in a breath.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMatt?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah?\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t tell her.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matt\u2019s eyes came open again and he wet his lips.\u00a0 \u201cWon\u2019t tell anyone, Thom.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom nodded and kept holding onto Matt\u2019s hand and face until Jacqueline nudged him out of her way three long minutes later.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom sat quietly, staring at the bottle of pills in front of him, stroking the black furball ensconced in his lap.\u00a0 The kitten had apparently adopted he and Marin over the past few days, and nothing he did could … 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":[25,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chapter-9","category-day-10"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-8E","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/536","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=536"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/536\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}