When Given a Lemon

Part 27

Once I was able to sit up on my own they pestered me just like the buzzballs, making sure I did everything very slowly so that I didn't break any of the stitches they had put in my back. I have some in my head too. The taste of the damn tree roots are a stark reminder of how I had gotten them.

What I don't know is what made the injury on my back so bad. I mean, I know who landed on my back, just not the extent of the wound, what it looks like, or how it was made.

Days later and everything is itching.

Literally, the healing wounds, the desire to get the stitches out, and to be free of this stinking tent.

Obert comes by every day but he is always busy doing medic stuff and never talks much. Merryl and Lemon also pop in but afterward they are all allowed to leave and I'm stuck doing nothing but sit or lay on my side doing nothing. I've even taken to counting their stacks of supplies out of boredom.

They currently have 312 clean rags folded nearly on the shelf and three crates, each with twenty-four dozen rolls of gauze. Don't even get me started on their medicine bottles!

When my stitches were finally removed and checked for any residual swelling or infection I could barely sit still. I was like a child on a holiday, impatient from the amount of excitement I had to finally be free to leave this place!

Jumping up after the final pull of the thread, I was ready to go. Lemon made me put my shirt back on first, which was easier said than done.

I'm free; not totally healed yet.

Outside the tent Wilo the scary lieutenant was talking to Merryl and one of the medics. Seemingly waiting for me to be discharged.

“How much longer until Keenah can be put back to work?” Of course that would be their first concern, not a hello or how are you fairing. I chuckled despite myself.

A few days later, I’m back scavenging with the team, though with strict orders to not bend or lift anything, which sounded rather pointless. What does that even leave me to do?!

“Where are we going to “scavenge”?” I ask as we finally finished our hike through the pass. I complained once about how long it was but was told it’s much shorter than the average pass, only spanning half a dozen miles in length. I guess other passes can be twice as long as this!

Today it is much less snow capped than before. Some plants are even showing the first early buds of life despite the stubborn snow still clinging to the ground and crowning the treetops.

“Out past the village,” Merryl replied. He walks with a large spear that he uses as a walking stick. It's new. Fresh gear had just been brought up to us including a dozen or so spears, at least as many large axes, and several short swords. I'm holding a few knives, not allowed to lift anything heavier though I’ve been eyeing the other weapons in hopes I might be better suited to one of them than I am to my blade.

“Oh, that's new. I don't think I've ever been beyond the village before.” I hum.

We continued silently the rest of the way until we reached the spot where we had been ambushed. First by the village folk flinging boulders, then by the giant. Ironic that it's nearly in the same place. It makes me wonder if they knew something we didn't.

I freeze at the edge of the treeline, involuntarily shuddering and glancing to either side of the path even though I keep telling myself nothing is there.

It's empty.

Where the beast once was hidden lies broken trees and plant matter. The place Lemon found me had been cleaned of blood and debris.