Von, Rog and Em sat without talking, each lost in their own world as they waited for the doctor as children wait to hear their name read from gifts under tree. John had had his bandages removed the day before and his sight was now as it was before. Today was their turn.
The nurse called Von. He entered. Sight restored. Next she called Rog. Again, darkness was left behind. Last was Em. She entered in darkness, and after what seemed to Von and Rog like a awfully long time, she returned still in darkness. Smiles turned south. Laugher vanished quicker than the snap of fingers. Em stood, her arms by her side, her head struggling to maintain posture.
“Frail the doctor. I will regain my sight.”
Von and Rog stood speechless.
Em held out her hands. “Let’s go. These frailing aliens don’t give a shiott about us,” said Em using language Von and Rog had never heard her use.
Von looked at Rog and Rog looked away, his face bloodless. He had his sight back. Em did not.
“Von,” commed Kyra, “how’d it go?”
“Not good.”
“What happened?”
“Em is still blind.”
“Oh my Janus. Is she okay?”
“It’s not Em I’m worried about.”
10 comments:
The obvious answer to whom he is worried about would have to be Rog, unless of course he is refering to one of the others, Trev, John, Yul, Kyra, but since there is no hint of that, I'm going with Rog. Firstly, excellent creation of another new branch off the bough. To have had all four of them continue in blindness for a while, together, would have allowed them to do precisely that, stick together, experience together, and as with the opening of this chapter, face the doctors together, the diagnosis. To have three enter and come out fine for the final person to have been told something she obviously didn't want to hear and certianly has no intention of believing, none of them would have been expecting things to turn out that way for the last of the group. In Rog's case, it would be one thing to have temporarily blinded the other three along with himself, though he would and did feel guilty at his 'jackassery' and the consequences it held for others, to have caused one of them serious, long-term damage would be quite something else to come to terms with. And he is already consumed with guilt over another decision that he made, with regret over having at this stage at least lost Yul through other actions. Rog is a good guy and I see him begrudgin himself the return of his own sight, wishing that if one of them were to remain in darkness, it would have been him. It will wear on him terribly to know that his actions have spared him and damaged someone else. Very, very nice chapter. :-) Good to see you feeling up to writing again. On the mend in other words, reason for me to smile. :-)
You are correct, it is Rog that Von is worried about. First Yul and now this with Em. And you know what, things are about to get even hotter for Rog--very shortly. :-D
The boy is in trouble, the kind of trouble Kyra is not going to be able to bale him out of. I'll leave the tease at that. :-)
As always my dear Sweetest one, thank you for your very, very kind words. Always appreciated.
Let him suffer a while, if we really must, but hope to see that Rogesque grin again real soon. :-)
Great story. Am enjoying it and two chapters at once was an unexpected pleasure.
Jenni, always a pleasure to know you are still following along. Thank you for the kind words. Peace to you my friend who cultivates a garden of gratitude on a daily basis. :-)
Sunshine, it's not me that has put Rog into the situation he is in. The boy made choices. And if I know Rog, he will fully shoulder the responsibility for the choices he made. Now, he will suffer for them, but Rog is nothing if not resilient. Growing up on a ranch has a way of inculcating that attitude, not to mention his father was a optimistic solution oriented individual, as honest as the day is long and equally as hard working. Rog will smile again and like sunshine in the rain, he will not wait till the suffering is over to show us his trademark grin. You can count on that. :-)
While I'm so pleased for John, Von, and Rog for getting their sight back, my heart broke for Em. BUT there is not anything she can't do and when she said, "I will regain my sight." I have no doubt. I'm scared for anyone who stands in her way.
Excellent chapter!!!
Karen, Em is a very determined Hynerian. Comes from her upbringing on the high seas where one simply had to find a way. Credit to her father and the values he taught. :-)
I think a lot of her strength is natural because we can only be taught so much. However, her father nurtured the determination and good values. These are my "feelings" anyway :-)
Karen, much truth in what you say. I think her father would probably agree. :-)
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