The Mechanic

Eight

I woke up with one word ingrained into my mind. It sat on my tongue, wanting to be said. It tasted bitter and dark, but it was important.

 Library. 

Rain. I also heard rain.

Skylar was coughing in the next room, her hoarse voice and dry lips calling out for water. Ross wasn't next to me, the bed was empty. From the thin walls, I heard Alex making tea in the kitchen. He must have had to go outside in the rain to get the water from it. Tap doesn't work, only the water pump outside. Alex probably had welts on his skin from the rain, and he totally deserved them.

I threw the covers off me and got out of bed, my cold feet touching the floor. Grabbing my jeans and my purple turtleneck sweater, I stepped into the bathroom and put them on hastily along with my brown work boots. Quickly, I washed my face. The soap didn't smell like home.

Ross sat cross-legged outside Skylar's door, his head in his hands. His whole body seemed to be sad. He was tired in his bones. Broken like me, we both had a tough night last night. I sat down next to him and stared at wooden paneled wall in front of me. There was a picture hanging above me. It was a picture of a family, with a baby girl and a black haired boy and a yellow haired mother. Skylar's picture that she brought along with her.

"She's not getting better," He choked.

Skylar called out weakly for water and I heard Alex hurry in the kitchen.

"She will get better."

"She's weak."

"No she's not," I shushed him.

He nodded and bit his lip, "She's always been a very sickly girl, always had a weak heart."

"Why didn't a doctor fix it before-"

"They said it wasn't a huge problem, that she would probably grow out of it." He shook his head regretfully, " She didn't."

"I'm sorry."

"I don't want to lose little bug!" he croaked softly.

"I know, I know," I whispered, taking his hand in mine.

Alex came into the hallway, carrying a tray with tea and water and a variety of plant springs and pills. He sidestepped Ross and I, giving Ross a look that I can't put meaning to and ignoring me completely. I huffed out in annoyance as he closed the door.

"You wanna go on a trip?" I asked.

"Wh-where?" He looked up at me, sadness in his eyes.

"You'll see, I'll drive."

"Will it be fun?" Ross asked.

"Probably not, but at least we're getting out of the house."

He shrugged, "Sure, let's go."

I poked his bare torso, "Go get some clothes on! Aren't you cold?" He rolled his eyes, but got up and walked into our room. I stood up as well and walked to the front door, grabbing the keys.

"Where are you going?" Alex asked, walking into the mudroom.

"Sorry, but I can't tell you," I said sarcastically, "C'mon Ross, let's go!"

"Jeez, woman, give me some time. I don't get ready as fast as you do," He said, walking towards me while putting a black turtleneck on over a pair of jeans. Looks like he had the same idea as I did today.

I held the door open for him as I walked out under the porch. The door closed behind us. We covered our faces and ran for the car in the rain.

"God, this rain really is the worst." Ross muttered as we slid into the car.