“Sit down.” Karo says.
Karo watches as they descend down to resting positions. He backs up to the wall opposite the group and slides down it until he reaches the floor. He rests his gun on his knee, no longer pointed at them.
“So, you take care of him?” Karo asks.
“Yes.” Jack replies.
“Why?”
“Because he’s just a kid, and he needs help.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“What is? Helping people?”
Karo nods, but doesn’t reply.
“I need to give him some medicine. It’s going to take a few hours before he’s mobile again, maybe more, probably more.” Norman says.
"You a doctor?"
"I am."
Karo nods again, and motions for Norman to proceed. Norman searches through Jack’s bag inspecting the pill bottles. He retrieves one and gets to his feet. He grabs the jug of water off the table beside them.
"I need her to help me." Norman says.
"Slowly." Karo replies, waving the gun in their direction.
Norman and Daisy sit on the couch with Patrick. Norman rolls him over and props his head up. He squeezes Patrick's cheeks, opening his mouth. Daisy places a pill into his mouth, then holds the jug to his lips. Norman tilts Patrick's head back while Daisy gently pours water. Norman rubs Patrick's neck as the fragile boy struggles to swallow.
"Shh, shh, it's alright Patrick, it's alright." Norman says, soothing him.
Daisy holds Patrick's hand, rubbing his arm as Norman turns him back on his side.
"How do you fight while taking care of him?" Karo asks.
"We don't" -Jack says, shaking his head- "we run, we hide."
"And that's worth it?"
"If it means he survives with us, then yes, it is."
Karo can't remember the last time he met someone that he felt was truly decent. These people take care of this boy, risking their lives every second he's with them, and they do it because it's what should be done. If he'd thought about it yesterday he would've been certain that nobility was dead, but these people prove it's not. They're selfless, kind, and gracious.
Perhaps this world isn't lost yet.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Rosaline walks briskly behind Sweetie. She's trying to keep pace with the usually energetic woman but is lagging behind. Rosaline isn't accustomed to traveling with someone who keeps a quicker pace than her.
Other than the formal greeting before they set off Sweetie has been uncharacteristically quiet. Rosaline suspects it's due to the incident with the Adapteds the previous day. She's aching to converse but is uncomfortable being the conversation starter.
Every few steps she catches herself staring at Sweetie's legs. Their golden brown tone glistening in the sun. Sweetie doesn't dress appropriately for survival, Rosaline thinks. She almost always wears shorts, shorts that are shorter than she's ever known before, tight fitting shirts, and barely any layers of protection. Sweetie has said she likes to be comfortable, so around the farm she dresses lightly. On their trips away from their home she adds clothing, but not nearly enough for proper protection—to Rosaline at least.
Rosaline doesn't understand how or why she does this. If she's honest with herself she doesn't mind it. Sweetie is nice to look at. The feelings she's been having since she met Sweetie are confusing. She's never really been attracted to someone before. Not in a consuming way as this is.
The only people she's ever known, apart from her family, were in the community. There wasn't anyone there that made her feel the way she does when she's around Sweetie. There was one boy, only a couple years younger than Rosaline, that she thought was cute. His physical appearance was rendered a moot point once he opened his mouth. He was intensely irritating.
There was also a woman that Rosaline felt a certain level of attraction to, though she never really thought of it as attraction. She thought the woman was fun and enjoyed being around her. The way she felt about her was different than the way she felt about the boy. The woman was enticing, but never appeared to reciprocate the feelings Rosaline thought she, herself, felt.
No, with Sweetie it's most certainly a different animal. This enchanting woman has taken over her mind since the morning they first spoke in the kitchen. She's lagging behind again, damnit. “Pick up the pace Ros!” her mind says to her.
She shuffles her feet and sprints to close the gap between them. She reaches out and brushes Sweetie's arm.
"Hey." Rosaline awkwardly says.
Sweetie slows down and looks at her. She doesn't respond, but her eyebrows do raise.
"What...um...what's up with you?"
"Me?" -Sweetie shakes her head- "Nothing."
Her attention directs back to the trail in front of them. Rosaline frowns, not satisfied with her answer.
"There's something..."
Sweetie's pace picks back up. Rosaline reaches out and tugs on her hand.
"Hey, talk to me."
Sweetie pulls her hand away, but finally does stop and fully turn to face her.
"What?" Sweetie asks, an abnormal level of haste to her words.
"I don't know, I just..."
Rosaline trails off. She exhales and wipes the sweat from her forehead.
"You're always really talkative, and ever since yesterday it seems like you've been avoiding me."
"I'm not avoiding you."
"Are you sure? Cause, that's what it feels like."
"I'm not!" Sweetie says, snapping at her.
Rosaline's eyes bulge, her brow raises, she's taken aback by Sweetie's irritated demeanor.
"Okay, okay." she says, in a calming manner.
The wind carries an awkward quiet between them. Rosaline's gaze moves to the ground as her foot nervously swirls dirt around.
"Look, um, if you're freaked out by what happened it's cool. It took me a long time to get used to fighting Adapteds."
Sweetie's face scrunches, her eyes glare at Rosaline.
"You think that's why I'm upset?!"
"So, you are upset?"
"Shit, nena! Of course I am!" Sweetie replies, her voice raising.
Rosaline's bottom lip curls under, her hand slides into her pocket.
"Well, why then?"
"Why? Girl YOU freaked me out!" Sweetie says, emphasizing on the word 'you' heavily.
Rosaline’s head tilts to the side, a genuine feeling of confusion rising in her.
"Me?"
"You were like a...I don't even
