The Wanderer [1st Draft]

Day Five (Part II)

Eastern Minnesota

October 28, 2019 – 10:52 P.M. Central

Scott was standing in the kitchen, leaning against the counter as he sipped his coffee and listened to the updated forecast.

'... storm slow-moving to the SE... total accumulation expected... totaling twenty-two feet in total... lighten up in the next couple of days...'

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air, startling Scott, causing him to spill his coffee when he jerked in surprise. He turned and saw Reed with a look of absolute horror and fear. The coffee cup clattered on the counter as he all but dropped it there before he ran to her, who was still wide-eyed as she stared blankly ahead. Scott knew that look.

She was there – wherever she had been when it happened, and she was watching it unfold right in front of her all over again. He knew, from experience, she was asleep. It was better not to wake someone up during one of these, but if she began to try to move around, she could aggravate her injuries, and he had already learned she did not like to take the pain medication. So, Scott moved to slide onto the couch behind her and gently pulled her back so she was laying against his chest. He wrapped one arm around her torso, rubbing her single good arm with his hand and began whispering in her ear.

"It's not real, Reed. This is just a dream. It's a dream, Reed. You aren't there anymore. It's over... come on, sweetheart. You're safe. I am right here. I'm right here. You're safe in a cabin, far way. Just relax," he murmured, drawing her head to rest against his shoulder. "Come on, Reed, you are okay. Shhh... I'm here... You're safe," he continued.

Reed partially relaxed, though she was shaking and whimpering, some of which sounded like it was due to pain. He heard her murmuring no over and over, then she began whispering what sounded like Michael, then gasps, then she just trembled against him. After several minutes of him whispering to her, she finally began to relax and eventually went limp against him. Scott shifted to get himself a little more comfortable, then simply held her, finding his own heart needed time to slow down.

Another fifteen minutes or so went by, Scott felt sure enough she was far enough back into sleep that he could leave her to rest and return to his coffee. He carefully slipped out from under her and lowered her body back down on the couch, then drew the blankets back up over her shoulders. He'd barely made it into the kitchen when he heard Reed speak in a voice that sounded strained and rough.

"... gas leak."

Scott stopped and turned to look at her. "What was that?"

"It was a gas leak," she said, opening her eyes.

"What was," he asked, wondering if she was still asleep. "What was a gas leak?"

Reed swallowed, then blinked slowly, struggling to push herself into a sitting position. Scott hurried back to help her, then shook his head when she opened her mouth to talk.

"Let me get some coffee first. Do you want some?"

Reed nodded, pulling the blanket off her and shoving it off to the side. "Please."

Scott nodded and turned back to see the coffee mess that he made when she screamed. "Yeah, just let me clean this up first. You have a set of lungs on you, you know that?"

Reed watched him, sighing at his comment. "I'm sorry. I thought those were over. I guess... I stirred up some things earlier."

"It happens to all of us at times," Scott responded in understanding tone. "I haven't had one in years, but they do hit me now and again," he told her as he fixed both their coffees, then carried the two mugs into the living room. After sitting down, he handed hers to her carefully.