Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 43

What are your thoughts?

She has a broken arm, some cracked ribs. Took a pretty good beating, but at least she survived.

Thank you, doctor. I'll let you know once she wakes up and has something to eat. A door shuts.

Why do I hurt? I feel like I was mauled by a sandworm. I open my eyes, and find myself in a mysterious bed. I notice that I'm covered in bandages. Am I dead? Where am I?

An old man looks up from a novel. You're awake? Thank the Light!

I don't recognize the room I'm in. Why do I hurt? What happened?

This morning, we saw smoke on the horizon from the west. Worried about what might've happened, I gathered some volunteers, and went to see what happened. Aiedo has burned down, except the wall; the bridge has collapsed, and something in the cemetery is burning so hot we can't get through. Near as I can tell, though, you're the only survivor.

The words hit harder than any fist or club ever could. I could feel tears coming.

There are still more volunteers still there trying to get in, but they've yelled into the city, with only silence returning the call. Not even the whimper of a dog.

Mom... Dad.... I rub my eye.

I'm sorry, little girl.

I just start bawling at the thought that I might never see my parents again. The old man leaves me to myself as I continued to cry.

Hey, are you okay? someone whispers in my ear. I open my eyes and look around. Walls of ice, and I don't find any ash in my hair when I run my fingers through it. Why does my past still torment me?

You were whimpering. I was worried you might have an old wound or something. Ray had a look of concern on his face.

No. It was only a bad dream.

He holds my chin still. What's on your face? I feel with my hand; there are small bumps of ice under my eyes. Frozen tears?

Uh.... I can't think of a way to dismiss the truth as I turn away to brush off the ice.

You should know that it's not good to bottle up your emotions. Tell someone if you feel afraid, mad, sad.... I've seen many hunters try to hide their emotions under a thick skin only to eventually collapse under the strain. There's absolutely nothing wrong with admitting when you need a friend. Etirn has no problem losing sleep to your venting, and neither do I.

I manage to push the sadness from my dream aside. Thanks.

Ray shrugs. Hey, I gotta repay you and Etirn for your kindness somehow...

He looks serious about feeling indebted to us. You really think Etirn would do anything less than everything to help a friend?

I know, but all my life, I've tried to get something for nothing. Ray almost looks sad, as he begins to carefully rummage through his pack, taking care not to wake the others. I'm almost 40 now, and I've never paid my own way. I feel that I've spent enough time that I need to give a little back. He hands me a wad of money from what he won at the bar and I count it. 5,500 meseta.

We're even, now?

I still owe interest and Etirn, so I'll stick around a bit longer. I look around, and realize Demi's eyes are open.

Demi, were you listening the whole time?

I didn't want to interrupt, since your conversation seemed private.

Why aren't you asleep? I realize the answer as soon as the words rolled off my tongue.

As a being of mechanical, rather than organic origin, I do not require any sleep as part of my normal maintenance. As long as I maintain an appropriate amount of lubricant for my servos, and avoid extreme amounts of electromagnetic energy from say, a lightning strike, I should easily last another five hundred years, or even longer if I undergo hibernation mode to minimize wear on my equipment.

Well, you mind taking over keeping this hole open? I need some sleep. Ray rubs his eyes.

I can do that. Get some rest. I manage to sleep peacefully the rest of the night.

Next chapter

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