Petrichor

Chapter 9 - Rory (Expedition Outside)

"Human" by John "The Ragin Cajun" Jones

I was in and out of consciousness for most of the night. I wasn't even sure where I was, or what had happened. But when I laid awake for some of the night, I could feel warmth on either side of me. I couldn't tell who it was, but I had my guesses. I was about to fall asleep again when I heard a loud thud, followed by a tired groan. I propped myself up on my elbows to get a look of who it was in the darkness, squinting my eyes.

"Hange?" I muttered, leaning over on the side of the bed to get a better look. She grumbled quietly, picking herself up and leaning against the bed frame.

"You're awake," she pointed out. "In the middle of the night. The least convenient time possible, but the important thing is that you're awake." I could tell she was trying to be playful. I gently used my hand to push her head away from the post. She chuckled softly.

"What's the big deal about me waking up?"

Hange turned to face me in the darkness. "You don't remember?"

I shook my head. "I didn't even know where I was until just now. And I'm still questioning if this is your barracks."

"It is," she confirmed, but said no further. She'd gone quiet.

I turned my head to peer at the other person beside me. "Care to explain why you, Adalynn and I were all in bed together? In a bed barely two people can fit on."

Hange seemed at a loss for words. "How about we talk in the morning? I don't want to wake-"

Adalynn bolted up. "What's going on?" She exclaimed in a groggy voice.

"I-" I began, but she lunged for me, wrapping her arms around my neck. The pure force of her hug knocked me off the bed, and Hange had to tumble to the side to avoid getting hit.

"You're okay," Adalynn sniffled, her grip tightening. "Thank God, you're okay." What?

"What happened?" Adalynn looked at Hange, Hange gave her an approving nod.

"The wall, it fell Ror." Oh. Oh. Everything flooded back at once. I sat up all the way, staring at the doorway. The wall fell.

Fuck.

"So my parents-"

"I'm sorry Ror," Adalynn murmured, but I pulled myself away from her. I stood shakily, tossing the sheets aside.

I glanced at Hange and Adalynn in the darkness, and I could just barely make out their figures. "It's fine," I forced a smile, and though I was aware neither of them could tell, it was more about convincing myself. "I just... Would you two excuse me for a minute?" I cleared my throat and started for the door.

"Rory," I could hear Hange call as I entered the hallway, but I ignored her. I let my fingers glide across the rough wooden walls of the barracks, keeping me steady. But I couldn't stay up for long. I saw my mother die. I saw her die. She was so close. If I had only had my gear maybe I could've done something, maybe I could have helped more people.

I should have tried to find gear from a Garrison soldier. I could have found gear. I was out of breath from just thinking about it, heavy pants weakening my muscles. I slumped down against the walls of the barracks, cupping my head in my hands.

"Shit," I coughed out, inhaling forcefully, trying to allow air into my lungs. "Oh, fuck." There was going to be a famine. I didn't have a house. Adalynn didn't have anything now. All because I was too late. I could have prevented something.

I could hear the soft thump of boots sauntering towards me. Someone knelt down beside me. "Rory," Hange whispered gently, her hand resting on my shoulder. "Come back to the room, huh? It's the middle of the night." She grabbed my elbows in an attempt to guide me to stand.