Host 2 - Jamie's Story

chapter 12

Over the next few weeks jeb kept getting worse. Right to the point where he was bed bound. Doc says he doesnt know the illness but it seemed it was shutting down his system. Even the medicine couldn't help.

It felt weird not having everyone around. I barely saw my brothers and sister. Mel stayed with jeb almost 24/7 until she had to tend to jack so she would get me to stay in her place.

He was slowly dyeing and he knew it. Maggie held his hand and came whenever she could. Talk to him as normal as possible.

They were all back in a week and everyone was getting worried if he passed before they do. And who would take over the place. Work went on as normal as possible but there weren't laughs or smiles or even a little small talk just silence through the caves.

Once again I was in the fields. Watering the seeds that would give us wheat next year. It was a quiet and lonely job.

"Emma come quickly" someone shouted. Saph was at one of the tunnel entrances."it's jeb" I let harry go and ran quickly to his room. Running into people and walls. When I got outside his room I calmed my breathing and knocked. I heard someone murmur something so I stepped in.

Mel was again at Jebs side. He looked tired. Maggie was at the bottom of the bed. Jeb coughed once again. "Emma" he choked out. I made my way to his other side and held his hand. "Yes jeb"

He looked over to me. I wasn't used to this look of him. He was pale and looked weak. The strong confident man that stood only a few weeks ago was now only a shadow of his self now.

" em, i know you care for our Jamie very much" He croakes
"Yes sir" i whispered.
"None of that. You are part of the family now. Look after jamie for me. Hes gonna need it if he is to take over."
There were gasps in the room.

"But jebidiah jamie is only a boy"
Maggie says.

"No, Hes a young man and stop being treated as a boy. I want to pass it down in the family. I know he can handle it." He coughed once again. He slowly lifted a piece of paper and gave it to mel. "My will.....Look after each other" and like that his AMR dropped and eyes clothes and he stopped moving. The room became silent.

There were cries and tears that filled the room. I felt numb. I didnt know what to do. I stood up and walked out gently closing the door with a click. Doc and kyle stood outside. When they saw my face they knew what had happened and didn't say anything as i walked by.
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1 week later....

They were due back today. Today they would be told the news. Today jamie would take on more responsibilites and grieve his uncle. Maggie being his sister always wanted to be alone with her daughter.

Mel had not left her room. I always came in to give her food but she never spoke. I looked after jack as mel wasn't capable at the moment. I spend more time with mark and saph and james. Jack and james got along great. Harry helped me out too every so often.

At the moment i was watching the place while we waited for jamie to get back and mel and Maggie couldn't. I hadn't grieved much with so many responsibilites. But then again I didn't know jeb as much. I would take jack to mel everyday but she didn't do much other than hold him. I would try to get her to feed him and leave only to come back with jack and her crying and the food untouched in the same position.

I was currently walking from the kitchens with jack after breaking up an arguement when I heard news of their return. Jamie.

I was so happy i ran with jack in my arms but i paused just outside the dock. What could I say to them. Jack began to cry and I whispered soothing things."lets go see your daddy" i said walking in to see them all unloading the boxes. I wasn't surprised to not see people helping. Most had kept to themselves throughout the week.

"Hey, em where is everyone?" Wanda asks making them all look up. "How's my little man?" jared smiles taking him out of my arms and hugging him.
"You all got back safe...good" i whispered.

"Em whats going on?"jamie asked. They all looked concerned now
"Where's mel?" jared asked.
"Emma did something happen" Ian asked slowly.
"Mels in her room. Like she has been for the past week" i whisper again. The floor became interesting. I was in some sort of daze. It hurt just thinking about it never mind saying it.

"Emma...." Jamie walked up to me. Concern all over his face.
"You're in charge"
Everyone looked confused.
"Emma your scaring me what are you talking about? What are you trying to say?" I looked into his eyes and I hated the look of worry in them but the pain he would get .... I didn't want to see that.

I burst into tears and no longer could stand. Everyone ran over worried. Jamie crouched in front of me. "Damn it emma just say it" jared spat out.

I put my head down then looked to jamie again. "Jebs dead". When I said that there was silence. Jamies eyes filled with pain and he stood up slowly. Jared ran off probably to mel with jack. Wanda cried into ians shoulder.

Jamie stepped back and rushed out the room. The tears still came. I knew it was best to give jamie time so I stayed on the floor for about 10 minutes feeling numb and went to go find him.