Cinders

Chapter 2: The Fallen Book

            It is still pitch black when I tear my eyes open in alarm at the coughing that resounds a foot away. I immediately jump up and cover Nat's mouth with my hand, causing her own eyes to snap up to mine. I feel her breathing even and release her, warily glancing about the Rest for any signs of disturbance. Thankfully, everyone is as exhausted as I still am and slept through the muted cough.

I gesture for Nat to get up, but she merely gives me an annoyed look, then yawns and rolls over.

This girl is going to be the death of me. Quite literally.

She is lucky that my claimed space is at the far end of the room near the open window. No one sleeps there due to the fact that it is somewhat colder, so there is an empty bunk on one side of me. Though it's chillier, the air isn't as stuffy and it's less claustrophobic for me. Ever since that night, I can't stand being suffocated in warmth.

Nat was able to move into the lower bunk next to me, complaining the whole way about "freezing to death", but I argued that she would not want to be within the vicinity of others when she received another bout of coughing. She had begrudgingly conceded, but when I saw her shivering in the moonlight, I'd thrown my blanket at her head. The night had been a cold one.

My limbs rusty and stiff from the cold, I shuffle to the edge of Nat's bed, grab her ankle, and yank her halfway across the mattress. She flails her arms, and it takes everything in me to suppress the laughter that bubbles from the back of my throat.

"Hey!" Nat hisses through the darkness, but I promptly shush her. Like a petulant child, Nat begins dressing, her angered pout never leaving her face. Amused, I dress as well, being sure to remove the ribbon from beneath my pillow and place it next to my heart. I warily glance at Nat, but she is still wrapped up in her performance, causing me to smile as I tuck loose strands of my honey hair into my head piece and tie my mask.

I wait for Nat to finish and I start to leave the Rest. As I approach the door, I hear a bang and hushed curse. Whipping around, I discern through the darkness Nat splayed upon the floor, clutching her shin. A creak is heard as someone turns in their bed so I shush her again, then offer a hand which she gladly accepts, and I hoist her to her feet. Still clutching Nat's hand in mine, I guide her to the door and we exit. I lead her outside and she begins hacking, so I place one hand on her back and the other on her arm to hold her steady.

Night is still present, but the horizons hold the promise of dawn. Their shade no longer a solitary, dark color. I hear birds chirping somewhere, creating an eerie calm only disturbed by Annette.

She finishes and rubs her eyes tiredly. I can sympathize.

I look her in the eyes, concerned. "Are you alright?"

She nods before lowering her head, and clears her throat. "I'm fine. Oh, I don't know what I'm going to do."

I grasp both her arms and look her in the eyes. "Nat, listen to me. You're going to be perfectly grand by the time I'm done with you. Don't worry too much."

I watch her eyes soften and she launches me into a hug, taking me by surprise. I awkwardly pat her back, donning a bemused expression. Her raspy whisper almost doesn't reach my ears. "Thank you."

I continue with awkward patting. "It's nothing. Now, go get some water for your tea."

Nat disappears and I head back to the licorice plant to scrape more of the root. We meet by the door and enter, finding Marie at her post once more. She nods her head to us.