2050: A Time of Courage

Chapter 26: Jason

A/N: Chapter is not edited. Sue me, today has been hectic and I've not had time to edit this yet.
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It takes a while for us to stumble, quite literally, onto another human being, at which point Dimitri all but interrogates the guy to learn where the apothecary lives.

I feel like I should tell Dimitri not to be so harsh, but I can't make myself care enough to speak. Right now I don't feel a thing, and I can't help wondering if this is how It's supposed to be. Surely I shouldn't be like this, as emotionless as some kind of robot.

I really don't remember how long it took to find the east side of Florence. I do remember how, for what has to have been hours, we stumbled around the city.

Eventually we find the border wall, and we follow its curve for a while. It's during this part of the trip when we notice the rundown house. The light from countless candles makes its way to the street from the windows of the small home.

They must not be rich enough to have a generator, or choose to turn it off for part of the night.

We're standing in front of the house now, the oldest members of the group arguing about whether or not it's worth checking out, whether someone who is seemingly so poor could possibly be the person we're looking for.

Dimitri keeps complaining that this seems suspicious with Shemik informing him that at this point she doesn't care. Theo and Lili are staring straight ahead, about as zoned out as I've been for the majority of the walk. My sister's expression is completely blank, and I can't help adding her to my list of worries.

Dimitri has lost the argument, and I end up falling into step behind Theo as we make our way to the door. Shemik is the one to try the handle, finding it to be unlocked.

The home's front door swings open with an awful creaking sound, and we find ourselves standing in what has to be a kitchen.

A candle rests in the center of the table, with two more perched a little dangerously on the counter in the corner.

Two pairs of shoes are placed next to the door, and with a sense of relief I recognize Emilio's boots next to the pair of beaten-up sneakers.

The guy on the street was right, then.

This has to be the apothecary's home.

A second after noticing the boots, I catch sight of the figure slumped at the kitchen table, their head resting on the smooth surface.

"Where's Rose?" Shemik is the one to speak, causing Emilio's head to shoot upward. He takes us in silently, inclining his head to one of three doors leading out of the kitchen. It is the only one to remain closed, and I can just make out the sound of someone's footsteps from somewhere on the other side. A moment or so later, a young woman steps through the doorway, closing it again behind her.

"Ah," She looks at Emilio, then glances to the rest of us, "the rest of your friends?"

Emilio gives her a nod, and the woman continues in our direction.

"If your friend wakes up, she'll have a nice chance of recovering." she says, gaze sweeping over us again as she speaks, "It could be hours, it could be days. I do not know what was used to poison her, so I had to try several different antidotes. I am hoping that one of them works. You all look exhausted, and seeing as it appears that you have nowhere else to go, you can stay with me until we see how your friend reacts to the treatment."

She gestures for us to leave our shoes next to Emilio's, all of us moving to follow the command at the same time.

All I want to do is see Rose, apologize because she saved my life once and ignoring my vision could have cost Rose hers.