Just Your Average 14 Year Old - Book 1 - New Life

Chapter 13: Recovery

A week or so  past, I spent them in bed... I didn't leave my bed almost at all for the two weeks. The pain slowly went away, but still not completely yet...

I woke up, it was early. It was almost two weeks after I was shot. The sun peeked over the horizon of trees. I sighed seeing the lake, it was getting cold now. October was coming soon, though we didn't realized  October 1st was  tomorrow. I took the covers off, down too my waist and looked at where I was shot. I had stiches, thanks to Charlie. It was also wrapped so I couldn't see it. I got up with a groan, standing was hard a few days ago but not as bad now. I stood and with relief I smiled ever so slightly "That wasn't so bad..." I said thinking I was really getting better.

I decided today was the day to get myself together. I changed into new clothes, put my boots on and my holster on my side. I wore jeans as usual and a tank top. Over the tank top I wore a thick, fleece lined, plaid flannel. I didn't button the flannel, or at least not yet. I put my knife in the holster and walked down stairs. The pain wasn't as bad now, it still hurt but I could move around just fine... I mean no backflips but I could move.

"Hey, Sleeping Beauty decided to get out of bed" Charlie said with a laugh.

I gave him a small glare, "ha ha very funny" I said sarcastically.

"Comon Charlie, I mean she was shot" James said defensively.

"I was just joking guys" Charlie smirked.

"I know..." I replied with a small smile.

"How you feeling Alex?" Ashton asked.

"I'm pretty good actually... The pain isn't as bad... I'm moving around no problem and I feel good" I explained to them.

"Good, that means your probably safe from infection" Charlie said.

"I'm glad to hear it" James nodded.

Ever since I'd been shot James hasn't been himself... He hasn't made any jokes, he has only been serious. I'm worried about him. Charlie jokes as always and Ashton is fairly quiet... As always. James is the only one who just seems off lately.

After a while, Ashton and Charlie went outside to fill buckets in the lake to boil the water. They told me to stay here and James offered to watch after me just incase.

"So... How are you" I asked James smiling.

"Okay" He responded plainly. This was not like James, No sarcasm... No joke ending with his classic smirk... No trying to make me laugh... Just "Okay"?!!! Okay will NOT cut it... James turned away from me.

I sighed, "James... Are you okay?..." I asked looking at him.... He didn't respond.... "James... Talk to me what's wrong? Ever since I was shot... You haven't been the same...." I explained putting a hand on his shoulder. ....No response..... "James... Please talk to me... I'm worried" I continued with worry and nervousness in my voice.

He sighed. "I killed a man..." He said softly turning to me, looking at me now.

"what?" I asked confused of what he meant.

"When you were shot... The man who sniped you... I saw him after, Ashton and I went too him.... And I killed him..." He told me, looking at me.

"James...." I said softly.

"No... I mean... I wanted to because... When you were shot.... The look in your eyes.... And when you fell... It was gone, because you blacked out.... And I was worried you had... well... You know...... And when Ashton saw him... I killed him... Because... I was enraged...." James explained, his voice cracking in the middle showing how upset he was. "But I would do it all over again... and I would do it again.... But..." He sighed.... He looked so angry with himself.

"James I... Thank you" I said, not knowing what else to say.

"I'd do it again" He said with a sigh. "But I think that's why m upset.... Because I know i'd do it again.... I'm not completely sure..... Its just.... Killing moaners is like nothing..... But a person......." James voice broke. He was very upset.

"I'm so sorry James" I said with sympathy.

"Yeah..... Me too" He sighed.

-----

Two months later

It was almost December now. It was November 21, not that we knew that though. James was getting better.  I was getting better too.... I was strong now, like before, but not totally. I'm doing great except for a little pain.

I walked down stairs, it was morning, just after sunrise.

"Morning" I said going to the cupboard for food.

"Good Morning" Charlie said.

"Hey Alex" Ashton said on top of Charlie's words.

"Morning Sunshine" James smirked at me.

I smiled as I got a can of fruit. I sat down by James and opened it.

"So I was thinking" Charlie starred.

"Uh oh that's never good" James said sarcastically.

I laughed and then went back to eating pear slices.

"Anyway" Charlie said eyeing James. "I thought it might be a good idea for us too all move into the basement for the winter... There's the fire for warmth, which is my biggest motivator. There's the two beds and the pop-out couch... I think it will be better, and warmer." Charlie explained.

"I agree... Its cold upstairs, it will be much warmer down there... And then we can close the door to keep the warmth down there instead of trying too get it upstairs and only wasting heat. And our winter food and water supplies our down there, so that will be nice" I commented on Charlie's idea.

"Sounds good to me" Ashton agreed.

"Alright, lets go get our clothes and junk" James said getting up.

We got up and moved all our stuff downstairs. James moved his stuff and then helped me move mine. Once downstairs we all set up our stuff. It was a finished basement with carpet. It was almost all underground but there were short windows up towards the ceiling. There was only one door, leading upstairs. It was a big basement, lots of space. There was a large fireplace that heated the whole downstairs area.

We made a fire and enjoyed the warmth... After the long day of moving we gladly rested. Sleep was much easier now with the fire and it was also nice to have the boy close by, it made me feel safer. Charlie was about  fifteen or twenty feet away in the right corner. Ashton next to him. I slept in the left corner and about five feet away was James.

I laid on my bed, eyes closed... Peacefully laying there, but I was still awake.

"Alex" James whispered. "You awake?" He asked.

I rolled over , opening my eyes and facing his bed. "Yeah" I replied in whisper.

"You think we will be okay... I mean we made it this far but... You know what I mean?" He asked me not sure if he was being clear.

"Yeah, I get what you mean...And to answer your question... I'm not sure if the world will ever out itself back together... But I do know that I will keep fighting weather it does or doesn't... I guaranty you, if there's a tomorrow to see, Ill do my absolute best to see it... And you will too" I whispered back ending with a smile.

James smiled "There is" He whispered before closing his eyes, and I didn't the same.