We continued to follow Mathias and his procession but we spent the time in silence. After David’s comment neither of us was feeling especially humorous.
The Johnson’s wheeled Mathias into a doorway. I assumed it was another medical room but when we followed them through the large doorway, it was clear this was a private room just for Mathias. It was empty except for the bed we’d brought in and a wall of monitors that Elizabeth busied herself hooking Mathias up to.
There were patio doors at the end of the room and I crossed to them and looked outside. I expected it to be dark but it wasn’t. It was still a beautiful day outside. The outside world continuing on as it always had, oblivious to the turmoil and devastation that had seized us in its iron grip.
There were people still running around in controlled chaos just beyond the steps of the patio. I watched them, all moving with purpose, not a single person standing around looking lost or out of place.
“David!” Elizabeth’s tone was sharp. I turned to see what had her so upset. David was making his way across the room toward me. I rolled my eyes. I thought we were past the point of thinking that reality needed to be hidden from me. Pressing my hands to Mathias’ gaping chest wound should have done that but it appeared she still expected David to shelter me.
He slipped an arm around my back and tried to steer me back into the room but something outside caught my attention and I maneuvered us back around so I could get a better look.
“Come away from the window,” he said, and if his words hadn’t caused me suspicion his tone made up for it. I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Why are you babying me?”
The softness in his face changed and I could tell I had about a second before the babying was over and I was going to be removed from the window, forcibly if necessary. I dodged out of his arms and wrestled the door open while David caught up. We both spilled out onto the stone tiles.
I gasped as I took in several men carrying the body of a man. There was no question as to whether he was dead or not. My knees felt weak and my stomach weaker. I rushed over to the railing and dry heaved since there was nothing in my stomach to come up.
David pulled me away from the rail and tucked me into his chest. “Let’s get you inside.”
“Let her see,” Mathias’ father said from behind me. “My son thinks she should know what is at stake. I agree. She should see exactly what is at stake.”
“She’s seen, Sir,” David said but I don’t think Mathias’ father was listening. He stood on the foot of the steps, waiting. Reluctantly, David led me down the steps and we walked through the bustle of people. As before, many stopped to watch as we passed, though it wasn’t curiosity that I saw in their eyes now.
Castan led us to an area that was free of activity. It was a somber place and the only people that were there with us were grieving over their loved ones. There were four bodies that were set apart and arranged with care. The others, maybe six or seven were grouped together in a tight line. I was grateful I hadn’t eaten anything in… Well, I couldn’t remember the last time I ate anything other than the Advil and the tea to wash it down.
David squeezed my hand and I noticed that again we were drawing attention. Among those coming to see what was going on were the Johnson’s. Both Kyle and Christopher looked at me with eyes that held tenderness and sympathy.
YOU ARE READING
A Tail of Stars
FantasyThere is nothing average or ordinary about Casey Miller's life. She has no illusions about that. She's been having visions since she was six. At seventeen these waking dreams have become so intense and overpowering they have put her in danger, lu...
