The Grims

Chapter 15- Constellation-Naming

Cima Grim went straight up to her room to finish her load of homework. She had three essays to finish in one night. She rubbed her eyes as she finished the second one. Cima hoped that after she put her brain through that, she might sleep more than an hour tonight.

Cima wished her sister and her father goodnight before she shut herself in her room. She set a grape-flavored water on her nightstand and crawled into bed. She got used to the feeling of her belt being on. Cima was paranoid that Peroshka and the Dark Angels were real. She was afraid they might steal the Azoth.

She woke up two hours later and opened her eyes. It was still dark. She groaned, her body filled with energy. She thought about sneaking downstairs, but decided against it. Her father would insist on her taking something.

"Major... Minor... Draco... Corona... Lynx..." Cima muttered as she sat at her window.

She heard the front doors open and shut and became confused. She opened her door and peeked her head out. Her sister and Mr. Grim walked into the house, Dixie with seven stitches in her stomach. Cima teared up as she ran down, hugging her sister.

"What happened?" Cima asked worriedly. "Are you hurt?"

"She had appendicitis," Mr. Grim said simply.

"Thank heavens you're alright!" Cima said, relieved.

"Why don't you go back to bed, Cima?" Mr. Grim suggested.

"I'll try." Cima shrugged, going back up to her room.

Cima walked back into her room and noticed the saltwater-filled air. She must've left her window open. The teenager sat at her window, breathing in the fresh air. She missed it. Cima sighed. "Lynx... Delphinus... Hercules... How do I know all of these?"

"Sis!" Dixie burst into her room.

"Dixie?" Cima questioned, noticing her panicked state. "What's wrong?"

"Nebulosa's stirring again, that's what's wrong," Isis said, leaning against the doorway, startling her.

Cima immediately closed her eyes, counting to three. It would all go away in three, two, one...

"Still here," Isis said, annoyed.

"Sis, you were right. I might still be seeing things," Cima sighed, walking past her sister to go take her meds in the kitchen.

Someone grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth to prevent her from screaming. They placed her on her window seat. She pivoted around and was about to yell before Gonner looked at her with such adoration.

Cima sighed. "You were saying?"

"Something's very wrong," Gonner said, grabbing her wrist.

"Well, we better go somewhere else," Cima said, letting Gonner help her up. "Am I still dreaming?"

"Is this coincidence?" Dixie retorted.

"Happened once, could happen again," Cima reasoned.

"Exhibit A." Dixie motioned to the corkboard.

Cima paused. "Let's go."

"Ay, I knew you still loved me."

"Shut up, you dork."