The Machine God Series: An Endless Nightmare

Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Peace

Nehna sat in the doctor's office as she listened to the doctor talk to her parents. The brace was digging uncomfortably into her back, and the bandage around her neck felt like it was choking her. Her arm itched inside it's cast, and the metal supports on her legs creaked. She was more than ready to leave this stupid place and to go home. She couldn't bear to spend another night listening to the constant beep of the machines, and the pained screams of some patient just rushed into the ER down the hall. Nehna ended up having to spend two nights in the hospital as the doctors monitored her for concussions and other hidden problems. And oh was it boring. Nehna was thankful to Yahnhinko for taking time out of his day to come and entertain her for a few hours, but he could never stay long. She could tell he was uncomfortable in here. I guess he has a lot to worry about in a place filled with sick and contagious people.

"Did you get all that, Nehna?" her father asked, looking at his daughter.

"Yea," She sighed.

"Uh huh, sure you did." Kento just shook his head. "You need to wear the leg supports whenever you walk, and the back brace can only be taken off at night, and-"

"I know!" She rested her head on her good arm. " And you say I don't listen."

"Hey, Nehna. Listen..." her mother began as she supported her girl by her good arm while they walked to the car.

"What is it?" Nehna replied. It's never something good when they start off like this.

"Our team has gotten called in again" Krystal said as she watched her daughter's smile fall away. " We leave today, in the afternoon."

"But, what about our plans?" The disappointment was evident in Nehna' voice.

"Well, we'll have to reschedule. I'm sorry. Maybe you can hang out with Yahnhinko today."

"Yea... sure." They always do this.

Nehna wasn't really surprised that they had gotten called in. Something was brewing and the army was preparing for it. But, more than that, it wasn't unusual to be called in on such short notice, and so often at that. They had had their mourning break, and now it was time to work. Busy, busy, busy.

**

Nehna's parents had already left by the time Yahnhinko's black hunting truck had pulled into her drive way. It was bright and shiny, as if it had just been washed.

"Hey!" He greeted as he walked up to the door where Nehna stood. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling well, just a bit bored," She replied, letting him in.

She walked stiffly over to a couch in the center of the room, patting the seat next to her. Yahnhinko followed her and sat down.

"Nice house, or should I say mansion?" Yahnhinko commented.

"It's been in our family for generations, ever since it was built. It's a family home, it's not just for my immediate family. Cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, you get the idea."

"It's beautiful. Yet, it seems a bit..."

"Empty? Yea, some are at work, others on trips and the like."

"Are your parents here?"

"No, they got called in today."

There was a brief silence. Yahnhinko looked as though he was desperately thinking of something to say.