Kismet

Fourteen - Aaliyah

Her eyes fluttered open, the first feeling was a prick of pain in the tip of her finger. Aaliyah lifted her hand, examining her fingers to find any sort of visible wound, or a potential splinter. Alas, her pointer finger had a thick splinter stuck deep in her skin. Despite it being painful, she could easily heal it. But she would need to take the splinter out.

She nudged Zeke, who was surprisingly asleep in this forbidden cold. He stirred, waking with a jolt. "What? What's happening?" He said, his words a bit hazy-toned.

"I need help. It'll be quick, I swear." Aaliyah says, trying to soothe his panic with a fake smile. Zeke got to his senses and sluggishly nodded, clearing his throat.

"Okay? What is it?" He asked, his voice now dry-sounding.

"I've got a splinter."

"Oh." Zeke's worry faded. "Do you want me to take it out, or something?"

"Yes." Aaliyah nodded. "Please?" Her plead was not needed. Zeke was already working on it. Despite it hurting like a thousand splinters instead of one to Aaliyah, Zeke was too focused on the simple splinter to react to anything.

His hand started to tremor slightly as his gaze kept on the small splinter beneath Aaliyah's skin. The splinter slowly shook, painfully sliding out of her fingertip, shakily floating in the air before dropping to the grassy ground. "There." Zeke wiped the slight sweat from his palm against his pants.

"Thank you."

"Mhm, you're welcome." Zeke murmured before laying back down and dozing off again. Aaliyah rolled her eyes, sighing. She glanced at the tiny wound on her fingertip, rubbing her other palm against it, as the wound faded into nothingness. As if nothing happened.

***

They were finally done 'resting', and now getting back to venturing out for a 'gas station', or a 'convenience store', as Raymond calls them. Aaliyah didn't know what a convenience store was, but it seemed convenient.

Everyone looked determined, especially Konrad. Although, he seemed a bit distracted as well. Stressed, even. Was he nervous for this new 'chapter' in his life? It felt like a big step for Aaliyah, and maybe everyone else besides Raymond to leave their so-called 'home', and venture out into the world they were warned about. She had so many questions. Did the people outside have abilities like them? How would they react to runaway kids with supernatural abilities?

Maybe she could be a 'nurse'. She can heal people and make them better. That's what a normal person would do. She wanted to fit in, not be cast out for a difference in her DNA.

She could be a nurse, and even save lives! Wouldn't that be great? To be labeled as a life saver seemed a bit exaggerated. Maybe just being called a 'nurse' is enough.

Leaves crunched beneath each step of the six, everyone feeling feeling as if weights were chained to their legs with each step. "My legs hurt." Kory complained, stretching his fingers to crack his knuckles.

"Don't do that. You'll get arthritis." Zeke warned, concern in his stubborn voice.

"Come on, there must be a gas station somewhere." Raymond grumbled, Ophelia's eyes lighting up at the mention of a 'gas station'.

"What's a gas station?" She asks.

"I think the name is a bit obvious." Konrad said with tired sass, as Ophelia's shoulders slumped in slight annoyance. "I know that. But does it have more things than just 'gas'?" She quizzed, her gaze turning to Raymond once more.

"Sure does, miss. Snacks, drinks, other necessities. We can stop by one and get food for the lot of you. It doesn't take a genius to know you kids are hungry." Raymond smiled, his tone of voice near teasing. Ophelia's smile came back, a small nod turning her head. "Can I pick what I eat?" She then asks, as if she had never chosen what she could eat for herself.

"Of course, kid." Raymond nodded.

The rest of the group did not want small-talk. They just wanted food, a hot shower and new clothing. Their current attire was stained with blood and dirt, and their scent was not so pleasant. A simple shower could fix all that.

How long will this take?