The Aftermath (Book IV) [NaNoWriMo13] (On Hold)

Chapter Twelve - Extraordinarily Disturbing

                                                                         Chapter Twelve

                                                                Extraordinarily Disturbing

Things were somewhat better. Tension was still thick in the house, but Jack didn’t direct any of his anger towards me. He was just in this funk. At first I had thought he was fuming over the Keepers. But there was more to it than that. His eyes were teal when he didn’t know that I was looking. He seemed so quiet and strange to me. I wanted to know what all was making him act this way. He always kept too busy for me to ask him, though.

Tonight is the memorial event. I admit, I was extremely curious what this entire event was about. I didn’t know many Twiad traditions. All I knew was that we were honoring those who have died within the past two decades. We had to dress in our best clothing and all gather in the main building. That’s what we were doing now. I wore the same dress I had worn to the dinner at Zach and Penny’s house while Jack looked gorgeous in a black suit and tie. I dressed Cassie and Daniel in the best clothing they owned and began to get ready for a flight to the main building. I didn’t know what awaited for us at the memorial service. I knew it was different from earth because Jack explained a little about the service. He also said he didn’t remember much of the first one because he left in the middle of it. It was a bit worrisome to go when knowing how intense it might be.

We all met out by the ship, all of us dressed in formal wear and looking as if we were going to a banquet. I sat next to Jack, who was piloting, with Daniel in my lap. Mom and Joe were talking anxiously about what to expect. However, Zach and Penny were unusually quiet. They stared out the windows with a strange expression on both of their faces. I couldn’t see Zach’s eyes, which made me impossibly more curious about what he was feeling about all of this. I stared at Penny intently, wanting to ask her what was on her mind. But my question dissolved when I saw a silent tear slip down her cheek. Reluctantly, I looked away to give her some privacy. Jack seemed just a zombie-like as they were. He kept his eyes fixed forward while his hands gripped the wheel-like thingy. I’ll never learn the name of it.

We landed in a field about a good five minute’s walking distance from the main building. Henry took off his coat and draped it over Zoey’s shoulders to keep her warm. They smiled at each other and Zoey leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked. Mom and Joe were almost as adorable because Joe’s arm was wrapped firmly around her shoulders. And then there was Zach and Penny, who weren’t as cuddly. Then again, they never have been. I think the strangest part of all of this was that Jack and I were hardly touching. He had his hands shoved in the pockets of his leather jacket, which didn’t match his suit, and his expression was blank and unreadable.

The building began to come into sight as we trudged through the snowy forest. Daniel squirmed in my arms when he saw the lit up building. I cooed him and held him closer to my chest to keep him warm. We walked through the large gate and across the yard with bits of light all around us. They had decorated for the event. When we finally went inside we were immediately blasted with warm and comfortable heat. I shook off the snow that had accumulated on my coat and in my hair before brushing off Daniel. Everything was so quiet in the hall that it reminded me of a creepy hospital. I hated this place, to be honest. So much had happened here that will forever haunt me. This was the place I had woken up in after Zach had kidnapped me from earth. This was the place I was given an injection to have Cassie. This was the place so many had died. This was the place I had died.

“This way,” murmured Zach, taking a sharp turn to the right.

We all followed silently behind. My boots clacked against the cold sterile tile louder than anyone else’s steps. Cassie held Zach’s hand, completely unaware of what we were here for, even though I’ve explained it several times. Well, I was a bit confused myself. I didn’t know what to expect. I could hear low murmurs down the hall as we rounded yet another corner. There was a smell of food in the air, making my mouth water. I didn’t really expect food. But boy was I glad there was. I was starving.