The Rain (Book 3 - The Evolving)

Chapter 11 - Pas de mots de réconfort et de créatures étranges

They were all separated. The sun was burning above them all. Considering they were low on food and water, they knew that it was best to look for necessary supplies.

Jeanette opened the cupboards in the kitchen. One after the other, every single one was empty. She sighed and let her head fall, feeling it hang by a thread on her neck. She was feeling the hope slowly wash from her body. Her hands were tired, her feet were sore. Her mind was tortured and her voice was breaking.

"Do you miss Clifton?" Jeanette spun around, her hand flying to the gun by her hip. She relaxed when she saw Bethany staring up at her with wide eyes. Her body tensed when she repeated the question in her head. She looked down to her feet and lowered her cautious hand. She licked her lips and looked up to a patient Bethany.

"Every day." She stated sadly, trying to hide the pain in her voice. She looked down to her left hand, flinching when the light reflected off her engagement ring and shone directly into her eyes.

"You know, he's-" Bethany cut herself off, instantly seeing her mistake in her words. She sighed and looked to the ceiling, collecting herself. Jeanette pursed her lips, noticing also how Bethany had said the wrong tense. "Was. He was younger than me." She muttered quietly, lowering her head from the ceiling and picturing Ben in her mind.

Jeanette licked her lips and tried to form a sentence of comforting words but she drew a blank. Bethany watched as Jeanette thought of something to say knowing that nothing she could say would make her feel any better about losing her friend.

"I don't know how I feel yet," Bethany said, staring into Jeanette's sorrowful eyes. She sniffled, feeling the tears prick her broken eyes. She knew her lip was quivering and her hands started to get sweaty.

Jeanette took a deep breath and Bethany stayed quiet. "It..." Jeanette looked down to the young girl, sharing her pain. "It usually takes a while to kick in." Her voice shook as she pictured Ben's face in her mind.

Bethany coughed and wiped her dry cheek. She looked up to Jeanette with hesitant eyes. "Are you mad at Nate?" She asked quietly, scared for the answer.

Jeanette shakily inhaled and stepped to the side, looking out the kitchen window. The light shone in, sending the room up in flames. The orange glow lit the cream walls and the wooden floor. She looked back to Bethany who awaited the answer. She swallowed, feeling her body sink.

"No," She whispered, shaking her head. A tear spilt from her eye and dribbled down the side of her face. "No, I'm not mad at him." She answered, pressing her salt soaked lips together. "I would've..." She inhaled and looked away, feeling a sob block the words from escaping her mouth.

Bethany felt her shoulders sag as another tear ran down Jeanette's red cheek. She swallowed her cries and stepped forward. "I know," She interrupted, knowing what Jeanette was going to say. The woman turned around to look at the child. Her eyes sparkling and red. "I know," Bethany whispered in a soothing voice.

They stared at each other for a moment longer. Taking comfort in each other's tears and presence. Jeanette opened her mouth and turned to face Bethany. "I was supposed to look after him." She croaked, letting the tears overflow down her face. Her lip shook as a sob burst out of her mouth.

Bethany looked down in sadness, closing her eyes and picturing his face in her mind which was starting to blur slightly. His screams of pain echoed in her empty skull and his pain-filled eyes burned her tired brain. She opened her eyes and looked up to Jeanette, her face vacant with hopeless eyes. "So was I."

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