Daughter of the Fallen

Crossed

Maggie and I were sitting next to unconscious Eugene, keeping watch on him to make sure he didn't die or whatever. Not like I would've cared.

Tara dropped water on his face to try to wake him up which wasn't helping.

My dad was still in the same position. On his knees, facing away from us.

Soon, Maggie and I went over to Tara and Glenn. Rosita walked over, too.

"Anything?" Tara asked us.

I shook my head. "No."

"Should we take him to the church?" Glenn wondered.

"Moving him could make him worse," Maggie answered.

"What'll make him better?" Rosita asked.

"Waking up. If he doesn't..."

I sighed and got my dad's water bottle before walking over and standing in front of him.

"Come on," I said, holding the water in front of him. "You haven't had anything to drink all day."

He didn't move, just continued to stare past me.

"Take the bottle. Seriously, a four year old wouldn't pull something like this."

He knocked the bottle out of my hand and continued to stare past me.

I took a deep breath. I leaned down so I was eye to eye with him.

"Don't do this, dad," I begged. "Please. Look at me."

"Don't," he grumbled.

"Look at me."

He got up and towered over me. I inhaled sharply.

We heard a click and we turned to see Maggie holding a gun to him.

"Sit down or I'll put you down," she threatened.

He waited a moment before sinking back down to his knees.

I walked over to her.

"You didn't have to do that," I said softly.

She sighed. "Yes, I did."

•••

"We need more water," Glenn informed, a few hours later.

"There's a creek up the road," Rosita offered. "A few miles southwest of here."

"Y'all go," Maggie ordered. "I'll stay here."

"You sure?" Glenn asked.

"I am."

"I'll stay, too," I said softly. "Keep you company."

Maggie smiled. "Thanks."

Glenn, Tara, and Rosita left while Maggie and I took a seat, watching my dad.

"Has he acted like this before?" she asked.

I pulled my leg up and rested my chin on my knee. I chuckled. "You mean has he always been temperamental? Yes. Always. Sorry about him."

She smiled softly before becoming serious. "I do feel bad for him. Wasn't this mission his entire life."

I nodded. "And by his entire life, I mean. His. Entire. Life."

A few minutes later, I went to check on Eugene while Maggie tried to create a makeshift shelter from the sun for him.

I stayed with him while she went to get another blanket.

While she was there, I heard her tell my dad to get over himself and that it wouldn't get any better than this.

I couldn't have agreed with her more.

•••

Around ten minutes later, my dad still hadn't moved. Maggie sighed.

"Should I go talk to him again?" she asked.

I shook my head. "I'll do it."

I got his water bottle and walked over to him.

"You're thirsty, dad," I stated softly. "Don't say you're not."

He didn't respond and I sighed, leaning down a little. "Did you want Maggie to shoot you?"

"I thought I did," he mumbled. "But I didn't."

I smiled softly and set the bottle next to him. We turned when we heard Maggie call.

"He's awake, Bree!"

I chuckled softly and kissed my dad's cheek before getting up and jogging over to them.

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Author's Note: lol i'm trying to get out as many chaps as i can rn to make up for how long it took me to post