They say we can't leave

Chapter thirteen

The sound of Emma throwing up pulls me out of my sleep. I open my eyes groggily and look around the room. I can see the light peeking in under the bedroom door. I start walking until I reach the bathroom door and I knock. "Hey are you okay? What's wrong?" I hear the water run for a few minutes until Emma finally opens the door she looks her normal self. I take a mental note of any scruff symptoms but I don't see anything. "I am fine just sick to my stomach. I woke up super nauseous." Emma utters in a groggy voice. Her eyes are still full of sleep. I feel her forehead but she doesn't feel warm. I get her a glass of water as she lays on the couch. I bring it over and she takes a few small sips. "Just stay here today since you aren't feeling well and rest. No need to go to work if you aren't feeling well." She tries to reject my remark. "I will cover for you, it will be fine you need to rest." I respond. She finally shakes her head in agreeance after some coaxing. I kiss her forehead and start making my way to the bathroom to get ready to go to the farm.

After Emma is all tucked into bed I kiss her cheek and head towards the farm. I am going to skip breakfast today. My stomach is a little queasy too from the dream and being worried about Emma. She said later in the day she would head down and see Dr. Miles for a visit. It's odd for anyone at Aukai to get sick because we are all healthy but a common cold does go through once in a while. I reach the stairs and make my ascend. My foot steps are loud on the metal stairway. I make it to the farm and the smell of dirt invades my nostrils. The air is humid and moist from the grow lights surrounding the plants. The farm is already bustling with people as they make their way through the gardens harvesting. All the plants look healthy. They are dark green in color with vegetables hanging off every limb. The plants have always thrived the entire time we have been here.

I feel a tap on my shoulder and I turn to see Ronny standing in front of me. "Hey Ronny what's up?" I ask in a curious tone. He looks away not wanting to make eye contact with me. "I wanted to say sorry for the way I acted the other day. I hope you will still be my friend." I chuckle a little. "Everything is fine Ronny. I'm not mad at you. " Ronny gives me a quick nod. "Thanks" he says leaving it at that and going about his work.

I make my rounds around the farm making small talk with the workers until the lunch bell rings. I head towards my apartment before heading to lunch to check on Emma but I am stopped in the hallway before I can make it that far. A young man stops me "Ace! I have been looking everywhere for you! Your mom sent me to look for you, she said to be quick! Something is going on with your dad." My heart leaps into my throat. I pat the kid on the shoulder and sprint until I make it to my parent's apartment.