FREEFALLING

6

  I was pretty grateful for Captain Weaver's understanding of my sister and possibly another few survivors joining us, so we continued on towards the church. I'm not sure how far away it was, maybe just an hour or so. If it made Captain Weaver feel better, then it made the entire 2nd Mass feel better. I sighed as they went to unpack everything again, but I suppose that a week was still sort of long.

It took us two hours to unpack into one of the offices from the medical bus, and even then the room was kind of cramped. The church was surprisingly beautiful, but some of the stain-glassed windows were smashed in. Most of the sacred riches had been stolen, but the abnormally thick pews offered a few extra beds. Other than that, we were going to be on the floor.

We were getting closer and closer to Charleston, and I could tell only because the frost that lined everyone's eyelashes had disappeared. I could only imagine where I would be now if they had decided to go north up into the mountains.

You'd probably be dead.

As I sat in one of the pews to silently pray for the first time in a long time, I heard someone slide in next to me. I tried not to look up and just concentrate on my thoughts with my head bowed, but I couldn't help it. I finally looked up to see Lourdes, who was smiling at me.

The bags under her eyes had receded a bit, and her eyes looked lighter, free of the darkness that was stored inside of them for so long.

"I think that everyone will feel a lot better here." she said humbly. I could tell that she was very religious, but smiled at it. I think that everyone, no matter what their religion, felt better to be in a safe-natured place like this.

"I know I do." I sighed, looking up into the carefully painted ceilings. Churches were one of the things I found to be most fascinating, most comforting. I would be praying a lot for Dylan's safe arrival to the 3rdMass, and Jodie's safe arrival here.

Jodie's looks had faded a bit in my mind since the harness was removed, but I could still remember a small bit of what she looked like. I went about the massive building to find paper, and ended up finding it in the supply closet. To my surprise, it was untouched. I suppose that some people looked more for the supplies and food than some measly pieces of paper. Shrugging, I carried a huge stack out into an office, plopping it down on a desk. I slipped one piece off, and began to sketch her as best I could.

I had been a bit talented in the art category, but believe me when I say that I was no Vincent Van Gogh. I finished after a half hour, completely ditching my unpacking duties as I sat back and admired my work.

"Nice."

I jumped in my chair as my heart leaped out of my chest, whirling to see Ben. He had entered behind me, soundless as usual. I rolled my eyes, pushing it away from me as I nearly pulled my hair out.

"Don't do that." I grumbled.

"Hey, at least you're on your toes because of me." he beamed a toothy smile.

"Yeah, I guess so." I bit my lip to limit my smile as I rose, linking my arms around his neck. He rested his hands on my hips, pushing me closer to him. I lowered my head, resting it beneath his chin as he towered over me.

We started slow dancing, right there in the middle of the room. I didn't want to laugh and ruin the perfect moment that was in front of me, but I did anyway.

"What?" he looked at me with wide eyes like had done something wrong.

"Nothing!" I assured quickly. "Nothing." I repeated, smiling up at him. "I just...don't do well with the sweet romantic gimmicks." I shrugged.