Stellar

Chapter 7

I'm afraid to open my eyes. I'm afraid that when I open my eyes, another person will be dead. So I sink back into my dark, dreamless world for just another moment. Hiding just under the surface of reality. Hiding from the truth.

I decide it's time to face whatever comes ahead. I crack my eyes open a little; just a little. Just enough to see the light, along with a few fuzzy faces. But still, it was enough for David to notice.

"Guys, she's up!" He called. He sat me up, making my head pound, and held a metal canteen of cold water to my lips. I don't know where he got it, but it was delicious. After a few drinks, I pushed the cup away and mumbled, "No... you guys need some."

I opened my eyes fully and found that most of the snow had melted, but it was still only around 60 degrees. I shrugged off my coat and sat up.

"Take it easy, Erika." Mary said warningly.

"Why? I feel fine." I replied.

"Erika...." David started, "You've been asleep for two days."

Reality hit me. How had I been asleep for that long? I know that syringe had something to do with it, but two whole days?

I looked around me and found we were sitting near a lake. It was a sparkling blue color, shining like a sapphire gem. It contrasted well with the gray sky.

I wonder if the aliens planned that...

"How did I get here?" I asked.

"The boys and I took turns carrying you. Even my grizzly wanted to help out." David started.

"That's bull," Leo said, "You only had me carry her when you got too tired. Even then you kept her sometimes. I can't believe you haven't dropped her her yet."

"That's because you were too busy sweet talking Mary." David told Leo.

Leo blushed furiously at David's remark, making it true.

Wow... you miss a lot being asleep for two days.

"So, are you feeling okay now?" Beau asked me.

"I'm just fine. I feel stronger, even."

"You don't look any stronger...." Beau said with worry. I looked down at my arms and saw they were very skinny. Same thing with my legs and toes.

"What's wrong with me?" I asked with edge to my voice.

"We don't know," David said gravely, "But we need to get you a cure."

"Where would we find one? How?"

"Ask Mary. She got medicine the other day." Leo said.

"It's true." she started, "When Michael died, I got hit too. They grazed my arm with an arrow. It wasn't stuck in my arm, but it got infected. I don't know why, but I woke up yesterday with a metal can near my head. It didn't have a note or anything, but I knew it was supposed to help the infection."

"Maybe they'll do that for you." Leo told me.

"Maybe..... but wouldn't I need to like, earn it? Don't I have to do something cool?"

"Maybe. We'll see, but for now, we need to keep moving."

"How many people have died?" I asked to no one in particular.

"Five hundred today...." Leo said.

After another two hours of walking, it started to get dark. We decided to stop and rest for a few hours and eat something.

Tate wandered up to me and asked if she could pet Sunil. I smiled and nodded, and she set her hand on his head. He purred and closed his eyes, making the little girl giggle.