THE PASSAGE

Telling Toby

Chapter 36

I abruptly wake up to someone shaking me. I open my eyes and see Toby staring at me.

"Jamie, where ... where are we?"

"Toby? You're awake."

"Yes. Where in the world are we?"

I touch his forehead to find that the fever has entirely left him.

"Oh, Toby, your fever is gone."

"Why are we lying in this make-shift bed together?"

Through the low light from the burning embers, Toby lifts his head and tries to look around the cabin as if seeing it for the first time.

"Toby, do you remember what happened at Dubois' camp?"

"Yes, I remember. That's about the last thing I remember clearly. Everything else is a blur, kind of like a dream. I feel thirsty right now."

"Okay, I'll get you some water."

I get up and retrieve a water bottle, then head back to the bedside.

"Jamie, do you know that you don't have a top on?"

"Um, I forgot. I'm sorry, Toby." Embarrassed, I pull a spare blanket off the foot of the bed and cover myself.

"Let me help you sit up so you can drink some water."

I lay the water bottle down then help Toby sit up, my blanket not being much help at the moment. From the little bit of light within the cabin, I see Toby grimace in pain.

"Toby, besides the pain, how do you feel?"

"A bit dizzy and tired. Also, very thirsty."

"Can you manage to drink this water by yourself, or do you need my help?"

"I can do it."

I stand by the bedside while watching Toby sip his water as he looks around, trying to understand his surroundings.

"Jamie, I only remember bits and pieces of things since getting stabbed. Where are we?

"Well, after that incident in the swamp, I was able to get us away from those thugs. For now, we are in a safe place."

"Okay, so what or where is this place?"

"Toby, this may be hard for you to understand. It took me a while to understand it myself. But, do you remember the story that you told me about Pop and Thibodeau out in the swamp?"

"Pop? Oh god, where's Pop now?"

"I'm not sure, I'm sorry. The last that you told me is that the thugs took him and Boudreau in a boat somewhere."

"Yes. Yes, I remember. And you shot one of the thugs at Dubois' Camp."

"Yes, um, well, actually Toby, there is more I need to tell you about that day. Do you feel up to listening to the story?"

I lay next to Toby for over an hour and explain to him as best as I can about everything, starting with Julie Brown, the wolf, Solstice, and Cain, bestowing the rights, the Land of Nod, the Land of Eden, and the Passage. I even tell him of how I have to nurse Cain, as well as him. After I finish, he stares at me, speechless and quiet for some time. I lay my head back on the pillow and stare at space, wondering what Toby might think of me now. After some time has passed, Toby turns to me and stares.

"I thought it was all a dream. This can't be real."

"Toby, you are just going to have to trust me. Yes, you are in a different world, but it's very real. I know everything I've told you is hard to believe. It took me some time to comprehend it myself."

I see Solstice shuffling around in her bed. I suppose Toby and I must have woken her. She looks over in our direction, wiping her face with her hand. Slowly, she climbs out of bed and walks over to us.

"Solstice, he's coherent now. The fever has left him. Toby, this is Solstice. Do you remember her?"

Toby stares at her for a few moments.

"Yes, I remember you. But, again, it was like a dream. I thought you were like an angel or something."

Solstice and I laugh, mine overpowering hers.

"Well, she may look like an angel, but trust me, she's no angel. She did save your life, though."

"So, you're the ... doctor Jamie was telling me about?"

"My official status is rohf-AH. But you can call me Solstice if you like. So, how are you feeling?" She lays her hand on his forehead, then his cheek.

"A little dizzy and weak."

"Did you drink that whole bottle of water?"

"Yes."

"Good. Do you need to go P?

"Um ... yes, how did you know?"

"Because I'm a rohf-AH. Now, out of bed, let's go."

Toby looks between Solstice and me a few times.

"You better listen to her; she's pretty assertive. I'll help you stand."

"No, Jamie, let him try on his own. I'll support him if he needs it."

Toby slowly gets up to a sitting position on the side of the bed. After a few moments, he can stand on his own. Solstice grabs the flashlight.

"Now, I am going to hold you around the waist for support lightly should you fall. I want you to walk towards the door."

As Toby begins walking towards the door, Solstice lets go of his waist.

"Good, now let's see if you can open that door."

Toby reaches for the primitive door handle and manages to get it open. My heart is full of joy. I now know for myself that he will be okay.

A few minutes later, Toby walks back inside, followed by Solstice close behind.

"Why is it so cold out there? It feels like winter."

"That's the way the temperature has been since we got here. Comfortable during the day and cold at night. I don't understand it either."

He makes his way back into bed, and Solstice orders him to sit up against the wall.

"Now, you need to eat," says Solstice.

"Oh, no, thanks. I'm not hungry."

Solstice looks at me with a smirk, then back at Toby.

"Toby, I didn't ask if you wanted to eat. I said you need to eat."

"Um, okay, I'll eat. I'm kinda craving a fried egg."

"You can have half a can of sardines."

"Sardines?" he asks, disappointed.

"It's all we have, Toby. I'm sorry," I say.

"And if you eat that, you can have Jamie's milk for dessert."