The Divided States of America

Chapter 6

 After arriving at her home colony, Erin gets off of the bike and jogs towards the house. She opens the door, slowing to a walk to not scare the kids who are sitting in the small living room with Scout. The children greet her excitedly, trying to climb up her legs. Erin picks up both of them, resting them on her hips.

"How is she, Scout?"

"She's...sad." Scout walks over to take Bailey from her. "You should try to talk to her. See if she's awake." Scout sets Bailey on the couch before taking Rylan from Erin.

Erin nods and walks into Skye's room. Erin takes a seat in the chair by her bedside. Skye's awake and looks up at Erin with bloodshot eyes, large dark bags underneath. Erin notes she hasn't looked this bad since when their mom first died.

"Did the doctor come and see you?" She pauses a moment. "Father said he'd send one."

"Yeah." She chirps out, tearing up.

"What did they say? What did they do?"

"He did what he could." Her voice is quiet and raspy. "Gave me some pain meds." Tears begin streaming down her face. "The doctor said I'm probably not going to get better."

"That's bullshit." Erin scowls. "I'm going back to Neo Angeles soon, and I'll make sure father will take you in, even if it's just you. Whatever it takes to get you better, I'll do it."

"You need to be here more often to help take care of the kids. I know it's hard on Scout."

"Stop talking like that, Skye. Stop talking like you're going to die. You can't keep talking like that." Erin clenches her fists, trying to fight back tears.

"Remember when mom was first sick? She used to tell you that you'd have to take care of me. Do you remember that?"

"Of course." Erin shakes her head, wiping away a few tears that fall. "Please stop, Skye."

"Mom knew she wasn't going to make it. I--I know too, Erin."

"No." Erin reaches over to wipe away Skye's tears. "You can't give up, not yet. You're not done yet. There's still so much for you to live for. You can't leave me, Skye."

"I--I'm trying, Erin. I'm just scared."

"I know. But it'll be okay. I'll get you into Neo Angeles, and they'll help you. They'll cure you, and you'll have a whole new chance at life. Without worries like you have now. I promise you."

"Can you...stay here for a while? I don't want to be alone yet."

"Sure. I can do that." Erin softly nods, settling back into the seat.

----

Erin pulls herself up from the chair now that Skye is asleep and walks out to where Scout is still with the kids. Both kids are asleep, napping on the couch. Scout motions her to follow. Scout carefully gets up off the couch and follows Erin to her bike. Erin removes the briefcase off the back, holding it out to Scout.

"More injections." She answers Scout's silent question. "It's not safe for us to have these like this. Don't tell anyone, even Skye."

Scout nods. "I won't."

"Hide these with the others."

Both of them look as Millie walks over, gun casually strung over her back. "Can I talk with you, Erin?"

"Sure." She nods. "You can go, Scout." Scout walks off towards her bus, briefcase in hand. "What's up, Millie?"

"The river has started to thin out, but it's been snowing farther up, so it doesn't make sense. We haven't had the people to send up the river to check what's going on."