Dust to Dust

15

Two days had gone by since they found her. Jenny hadn't left her cabin, speaking to people was a massive challenge, and it felt like she was trapped in her old room again. Eventually, Corey and Eren gave up on trying to talk to her, she wouldn't even react for the most part. The flashbacks were inevitable. After seeing what had been made of Delilah, the memories of her sister and mother's brains being blown out just kept coming back over and over again. Thinking back on finding her dad dead in the middle of the kitchen, were his organs everywhere too? Because that's sure what she remembered now. Delilah's state had replaced all the memories she thought she knew. Jenny couldn't figure out if she had been crying for two days straight or if she hadn't shown any emotions at all. It didn't matter, her brain felt like it was going to explode. She was so stuck in the past, she didn't even bother with the present.

After the first day, Jasper came in to check on her. Seeing what state she was in, he didn't leave her side. He sat in bed with her all day, and was the only one who could get her to talk, even just a little bit. He gave her time to heal and accept what happened. She appreciated that more than he could ever know, she just couldn't express it just yet. Out of everyone at the camp, Jasper was the best at just letting her process her emotions. He would try to talk to her, and if she didn't talk back, he would just stay with her as a sign that she wasn't alone. He had seen the body too, and while he had a different reaction, their situation was still the same. 

They must have passed out there together one night, because someone was calling her name. "Jenny."

She didn't want to open her eyes, or even give a shred of attention to whoever was talking to her. But on instinct, she looked up at the voice who was causing her so much annoyance. Of all people, she didn't expect it to be Asher. He had a sad look on his face, one she hadn't seen before. Jenny didn't make any change of expression, and just waited for him to explain why he was there.

"We're all outside. We're burying Delilah."

He really did care. She could see it. Why would he go through so much trouble to give her a funeral if he knew what was going on? She still wasn't up for making theories about how he was connected with Delilah's death, so she kept that to the side.

"You don't have to come out if you don't want to, I'm just giving the option. I understand if it's too much for you."

Someone's arm squeezed around her side, and she turned up. She remembered now that Jasper had spent the night with her. He looked back and forth between her and Asher as if to confirm her answer.

Jenny turned back to the other, and nodded softly. Asher did so back at her, and backed up a bit to let them both get up. Jenny had hardly walked in two days, so her legs weren't the best at the moment. But with Jasper's help, she managed to get on her feet and take a few steps towards Asher.

She tried her best to breathe and get outside without falling over, barely succeeding. Daylight was suddenly unfamiliar, but it felt good to be exposed for once in a while. The sun felt good on her skin, and Jasper remained at her side, so she slightly leaned on him. He was giving her way too much comfort, but she wasn't going to complain, she couldn't. He was thinking of her and only her, nobody had ever done that before. Jasper was only serious when he needed to be, but when he was, she liked him a whole lot better than how he was most mornings. The stress seemed to soften just by having him around, but once she saw the adherents holding a body wrapped in sheets, she wasn't so sure.

Jenny took a jagged step back, the air completely leaving her lungs. Just thinking that Delilah was inside those sheets with missing organs made her sick to her stomach. Why had she even come out here? The arm that was previously at her side now held her hand tightly and reassuringly. Jasper looked down at her with a remorseful look. He knew this was hard for her, but was doing all he could. She knew that. She let herself breathe again, and gripped his hand harder. "Thank you." she whispered.