Wounded Beacon

Healing Wounds

I blinked to a sliver of morning sunlight in my eyes. Rising from the pile of leaves, I peered around the small room with one eye. Light weaved its way past the tangled branches and through the window like a divine pillar, bringing on the new day.

Aiden was nowhere in sight, but worry was the last thing on my mind. For all I knew, he was out basking in the warm sunshine, appreciating every golden ray. Better yet, feeding the fish we should have captured for a meal. I smiled to myself and made my way to the window, surprised how at ease I felt despite being parched and near starving. My stomach was used to not having meals for long periods of time, but the thought of being hunted like a wild animal was what took me out of my brief sense of peace.

If it wasn't for a threat on my life lingering in the air and the downward spiral Earth had plummeted into, the morning would have been like bliss.

I would wake up next to Samuel who would have little Christie snug in his arms. She would get frightened of the dark and come into our room, and we would never complain. Her long chestnut colored locks would veil his handsome face, preventing the morning sunshine from waking him.

Samuel would comment on our baby's hazelnut scent and her beaming smile. Even though her baby teeth were missing to make room for her adult teeth, her smile would bring a grin to my lips.

Then chaos and destruction, and her cries pierced my heart like a hot iron. Whenever it entered my mind, that thought always had a way of stinging. An innocent whimpering from being frightened of the unknown that hid in the darkened corners of rooms, or the howling sobs from the agony of starvation and dehydration. Her pains hurt me ten times worse than my own. But it worked for me every time. Allowing myself to travel to that dark, sorrowful place encouraged me beyond reason.

I cleared my throat and swatted away the tickle on my cheek just as Aiden's footsteps grew closer.

"Rise and shine," he said. Enthusiasm rang in his voice. "You're gonna thank me for this."

I glanced over my shoulder, peeking with my good eye at the smirk on his face and both palms filled with small dark berries.

Saliva moistened my mouth. "Food?"

He nodded. "Huckleberries. My sister taught me how to make muffins with these, but since we only have one ingredient, we're just gonna have to make do." He stood beside me and lifted his palms, offering up the petite fruit. I took a few and popped them into my mouth. The tiny, dark purple orbs gave off a tart and sweet tang on my tongue.

I nodded, approving the flavor, and grabbed some more.

"These took forever to pick," he said, tossing his head back and dropping a few of the berries into his mouth. "Not all of them were ripe, so..."

I wouldn't know where to look for berries, and couldn't determine the edible ones at that. So showing my appreciation for his skill was second nature. "Thank you, Aiden." I nodded, lifting my handful.

"You said my name." He paused. Our eyes locked and his narrowed.

I shrugged. "Yeah?"

He mimicked me and shrugged too, dropping his gaze. "How's the eye?"

"Better." I turned toward the window as an awkward vibe flowed between us. I watched him pick at the berries in his palm in my periphery. Was concern the reason behind his fidgeting?

"I must've done something wrong," he said, breaking the ice.

"No, you've done plenty to help." It was the truth, but no matter what, I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eye.