A Sibling's Love

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Jake awoke to Laura’s cries later that night. He got up abruptly to check on her. Much to his dismay, she was dreaming again.

          “No,” she groaned, “Please. It hurts. You’re hurting me David.”

          Jake assumed that she was having the same dream that she had all those years ago. He knew that he had to wake her up before she alerted the whole lodge. Careful not to touch her, Jake made his way to the bathroom and filled a cup with water.

          He came back in time to hear Laura whisper sinisterly, “You are finally where you belong bastard. May the flames take you back to hell.”

          Jake froze. He didn’t remember her saying that last time. Just what exactly had happened between Laura and this David? Laura then snapped wide awake and sat up, and scared Jake half to death.

          “Jesus Laura,” Jake breathed as he handed her the cup of water that he was initially going to throw on her face, “you never stop scaring me do you? Here drink this.”

          Reluctantly, she took the glass from his hands and held it firmly in her own. She needed something solid to hold onto. Laura then gulped down the water. She was secretly thankful that Jake had thought about her and had gotten her a drink. It would soon wash the taste of smoke and fear out of her throat.

          “Not sure how to say this-“Jake stretched his words out trying to prolong the inevitable, “I know that something bad happened to you, and none of it is any of my business so I won’t ask about it, but if you need someone to talk to about it I could listen.”

          “No,” Laura spoke harshly.

          “Alright,” Jake sighed as he glanced at the clock, “try to go back to sleep. It’s still too early to be moving.”

          “Jake-“Laura spoke. She really thought hard about telling him.

          “Yeah,” He said.

          “Never mind,” she sighed, “Wait.”

          “Yes,” Jake listened intently.

          She was about to tell him, but she just withdrew, and blurted out, “I’m sorry.”

          “Why?” Jake asked, “You haven’t done anything wrong.”

          The flames crept back up the corners of her mind. She could smell human flesh roasting much like a boar’s over an open fire. She has done plenty wrong much unlike Jake’s beliefs.

          “For…” She couldn’t finish the sentence without embarrassing herself and putting too much of herself on the line, “Goodnight Jake.”

          Laura turned away from where Jake laid on the floor. She didn’t want him to see how embarrassed. She closed her eyes and soon fell fast asleep.

          Laura woke up to the welcoming  smell of a bacon, eggs, ham, toast, fried potatoes, sausage, orange juice, coffee, pancakes and various other breakfast foods. Laura turned on her side and looked into the open kitchen that conjoined with the sleeping quarters. She could see Jake focusing intently on the cooking food. His forest green eyes sparked with interest and focus as he shuffled from pan to pan to juggle all the food without burning it. Sweat glistened his forehead due to the steam and heat of the various delicates that he was making. His hands were quick and skillful as he stirred the eggs with his left hand and flipped the sausage patties with the right.  It was quite enjoyable to watch him cook their breakfast.