Rogue

Chapter 13 - Death

Chapter 13 – Death

Leto sat on the floor, glancing at Morné’s books and making notes in her own. She just had one last poem to do then her English work would be up to date. Although metaphors were the last thing on her mind, she couldn’t help admiring the poems in front of her. Three of the five were about death, and the other two on Apartheid and poverty. Each had a different meaning, but somehow she could relate to them. It would be an advantage when she wrote her exam, but she was saddened by it. Saddened that her life had so many negative elements to it. She shook her head to dispel the thoughts and focused on Shakespeare’s sweet-yet-cheesy poem about love instead.

 “Can I borrow a pencil?” she asked Karen, who was next to her revising Physics. She wanted to make a few extra side-notes.

Karen wordlessly handed her a pencil and continued with Equations of Motion.

“Thanks.”

She made the few notes before closing her books and sighing. She didn’t plan on staying for the study time Karen organised – she needed to be at home with Brian and Sera with Ouma in hospital – but Karen hadn’t accepted any of her excuses.

“I shouldn’t be here,” she murmured to herself. The time hadn’t been completely wasted, though. She had managed to do a good amount of studying, but grades didn’t feel important to her. It didn’t matter if she passed or failed – she’d still be stuck in the same place as always.

“What was that?” Morné asked. He had just about forgiven her for her outburst at the train station and pretended the next day that it never happened. That annoyed her a bit, but it was a relief to see him as his normally cheerful self.

“Nothing...I should be getting home,” she said. “I...Remember what I told you the other day? I should be at home, helping where I can.”

“Hey...Have you been to the hospital to see her? Your neighbour?”

She shook her head,

“No...I wanted to, but she’s not really allowed visitors. And I’ve been too sca – too busy to go.”

Morné glanced at the others, who were all absorbed in their studying.

“Guys, we’re going out for a bit. We’ll be back in about an hour or so. If you need anything...Karen practically lives here.”

Karen acknowledged the statement with a wave of her hand, still concentrating on her books.

“Come on, Leto.”

A few minutes later, they emerged from the house. Jeff held open the driver’s seat door of a sleek, black-and-chrome coupé. He handed Morné the keys and pushed back the seat so that Leto could climb into the back.

“Are you driving, Morné?”

“Ja. Don’t underestimate me. I’ve got my learners!”

“Uh-huh. Just don’t crash into anything.”

He climbed into the driver’s seat, with Jeff next to him.

“I’d like to have you in the front seat, but I have to have a licensed driver next to me,” Morné said over his shoulder. He adjusted his mirrors, put on his seatbelt and slid the key into the ignition. The engine purred into life and he eased the car onto the road.

“Wow, I’m not dead yet,” remarked she remarked.

She caught a glimmer of amusement reflected in the rear-view mirror.

“Is this your car, Morné?” she asked, curious.

“Yeah... I got it as a birthday present at the start of the year, but I’m only allowed to drive it now that I’ve got my learner’s.”