Blue hugged her arms around my suit and kissed me sweetly on the lips. “You are my sister now, please live a good life and remember me young and happy.” I nodded yes in agreement and climbed into the back of the old truck. Chip tossed a backpack in after me and yelled at Noah to leave.
My exit from their world was as quick as my entrance. Through the dust kicked up by the truck’s tires, I could see Zeke, his arm high in the air. Violet and Chip were by his side as Blue stood and cried.
The back window of the old vehicle was missing. Noah drove carefully, trying to keep the small truck on the well-worn path, avoiding the seabed holes and hills in front of us. I rested my arms in the missing window casing and lay my head in my hands. I kept my self together as long as I could. I tried to cry quietly, but the more I tried to control my tears, the louder they became.
“I can turn around and go back if you like, “Noah asked.
“No, I can’t ever do that again. I have to leave now, or the next round of bombs will bury us all.”
“Okay then, we go as far as we can by truck. Then we walk.”
“We?” I asked.
“I’m going to take you one day’s walk. Then I will head back to the group. I can get you over the sea wall and on your way to the city before I need to turn back.”
“Thank you, Noah,” I said while trying to wipe my tears on my undershirt.
“I don’t want you to thank me. I’m pretty sure I’m going to hell for what I’ve done. Plus, I lost a friend and upset one of my family’s oldest allies.”
“I don’t think there’s a Hell, but if there is, could we be in it right now? I certainly feel like I’m being punished.” I whined.
“What could you have done to deserve all of this?” Noah asked.
“I was awful to my brother the night you—took us. Like a spoiled little girl, I was mean just to be mean.”
“He will forgive you. I forgive my brothers and sisters all the time. It’s almost entertaining when one of them rises to challenge you. I doubt he even remembers the argument the way you do. You should try to sleep. I know the truck is bouncing, but try, you will need your strength,” He explained.
I curled myself around the bags of gear and tried to rest. The ride was bumpy, but I let myself relax. I made my mind reshuffle my priorities towards survival and getting back to my life. Having lived and died in a new world today, and my heart was exhausted.
FORCING CHANGE
I fell asleep with the Eaton secret rolling in my brain. The thought of my willful little sister being tortured by savages kept me from eating. This day had an ominous feel to it. I skipped work but still dressed for the office and left the house early.
My mind was made up entirely. I would marry William Eaton and keep his secret until he was ready to leave this world on his own. His half-life was a far crueler thing than the finality of death. The hope Priscilla endured all these years. Her life was put on hold and forfeit by all rights for the benefit of her son.
Priscilla Eaton looked polished and stately, but she was devious and secretive. A criminal by many standards. Her staff was loyal to her and William. She has an invisible link to information about the Red's and my baby sister. All these things told me Priscilla was the one I needed to ally myself with.
I took the commuter transport to the central station and called the Eaton driver from the platform. The ride to the estate felt like a detour into a parallel world. The plots of my older brother's books and movies started swirling in my brain. I was choosing to take a sharp right turn away from my tidy life and wrap myself in Priscilla's secret. It usually ended badly for the characters in his books that took chances with fate.
Hess and Nina were on their way back up top at the end of the week. My brother was conflicted should he return to his work, or should he stay and wallow in the pit with the rest of us. My father took a leave of absence to deal with my sister's abduction, and my mother's near nervous break-down.
There were three large transport vehicles parked in the driveway when I arrived.
“I should have called before coming all this way, do you think she's busy?” I asked the driver.
“Mrs. Eaton is expecting you. I alerted her to your arrival. I believe you are going to want to see her other guests sooner rather than later.” The driver brought the car to a stop near the entrance just as the front door opened. I was late for my own surprise visit.
Helpful hands guided from the transport to the house and out of my day suit. Looking around the room, I saw several new faces. Then I saw Dredge standing near a table of coffee and muffins. He pushed his way through the crowd towards me.
“Beryl, we have much to discuss and little time.” Dredge explained. Priscilla was seated in the green room she kept for entertaining.
One of William's nurses stood by her side with a somber look on her face.
“Is everything okay in the back of the house?” I asked.
“Yes, Dear, all is well with the Eaton household. Have you decided on my proposal?”
“Yes, my answer is yes to all of it,” I blurted
