Living After: Book Two

Chapter Three: Elyza

  Two more hours until more pain medicine to take the edge off, if he's conscious.
  Two more days of antibiotics left.
  The first twenty-four hours is the hardest. He can do this.
  Elyza was making a mental check-list of things she needed to remember while Alicia pulled pink, smelly dye through the left side of her hair. She relaxed at the feeling of her fingers in it, raising goose bumps on her neck. "Thank you for doing this for me. I'm exhausted."
  "I knew you needed to relax, I also knew this would uplift your spirits. Blake and Strand are on patrol, we're all safe. Nick is asleep for now," Alicia wiped pink off of her fingertips. She smiled at Elyza, "Looks great. Like it always does."
  Elyza fell back onto the bed, sighing, "You have to say that."
  "I mean it. I'm going to get us dinner, I'll be back. Wash that out in ten minutes."

  Elyza had been secretly dreading what would happen next. Troy may not wake up and all of that was on her. Her girlfriend's brother's  happiness was in her hands. Terrible shit to carry. Her mind had been swimming in thoughts since finishing the procedure on Troy. Why did I ever want to become a doctor again? Oh, because I enjoy helping people... even if it threatens myself. Classic Elyza, overthinking and over judging, even though she knew every decision she made was the right one. When the turn began, it was as if Elyza was groomed for it, made to survive and lead in the harsh conditions. She found herself instantly springing into action to aid others, even if that meant losing herself. Elyza glanced over to the corner wall where Alicia had hung a sign "Happiness: Doctor's Orders." It was so  cliché, and what a coincidence that a doctor lived in this home originally. It made Elyza smile, remembering the goofy look Alicia had shot her when she put it there. She also remembered the magic that happened afterwards and chills shot down her chest into her tummy.
  Knocking came from behind Lyza's door and a low voice said, "Can I come in?"
  Blake.
  "Come in B, you don't have to knock." She stood up and pulled some sweatpants on, looking forward to some time with one of her closest friends. She would always consider him a brother.
  "Hey you," Blake walked through the room and gave her a quick side hug, "You holding up?"
  "Yeah, Alicia went to grab me some dinner. Is Troy-"
  He shook his head and she knew that meant he wasn't awake, not yet.
  Blake paced the room and she noticed his drab face. He was lost in thought, thinking. She could always tell when he had his mind all wrapped up in himself. They had spent the better half of the apocalypse with each other. Marie used to tell Blake that she saw her as a big sister, it made her stomach drop thinking of how close they had become. How Blake must miss her.
  "Why are you here Blake? Are you okay?" Elyza asked, her maternal instincts kicking in. She always took care of them, and even with a new group of people, it was no different than before.
  He scratched his dark curls, resituating his face, "I'm fine. Do you like Tasha? Should I trust her?" He looked to her for guidance and she shook her head, immediately understanding.
  "You  like her, yeah? I've seen it. Why shouldn't you trust her?" Elyza grinned at him but he didn't react. She wondered where this was coming from. She stood up to rinse her hair in the bowl of water Alicia left for her. She wrapped a towel around her damp head and turned around to Blake staring right at her.
  He sighed, "She hasn't been with us for that long."
  "All of her people are dead, Blake, I'd say she is with us. She's really sincere, what is it?"
  "Do you think Marie would have liked her?"
  Oh, that's what this is about.
  His shoulders shook and she saw him wipe a tear from his cheek. "I don't think I deserve to be happy- I don't deserve to smile knowing she is dead. She's never coming back."
  "That wasn't your fault- We were doing what we had to do to survive... She would like Tasha. She would want you to be happy." Elyza could see him falling apart and was nervous she would say too much. She didn't want to hurt his fragile heart any further, accidently. "Blake, I have to go check on Troy. It's late. Alicia's coming back with my dinner and-"
  Blake's voice cracked as he spoke, ignoring her attempt at trying to change the subject. He was upset, "I have a room, a perfect little room. It's eating me up Elyza-"
  "She should be here, I know. I've thought the same thing a million and one times. But she isn't here, and we both have to endure that pain. I'm here to carry it with you. You.. You should let Tasha in too, she seems to of lost things. Things she hides. Just like you. Tell her about your mother, talk to her Blake. You can do this and I have all of the faith in the world in you."
  Blake started to say something and stopped, looking to his friend with tears welling in his eyes. Elyza knew that his baby sister had been everything  to him. He would make room for this pain, he would eventually overcome it. She nodded to him and stood up, collecting herself before Alicia came back into the room. Just on time.
  "I brought your food. Just chew the rabbit meat quickly, it's... different," Alicia giggled and made a silly face at her, "Nick is up and asking for you but he said it isn't urgent. There's dead outside I'm going to help my mother with." Alicia kissed Elyza, not caring that Blake was there. She brought light into the room with her as she spoke, creating a positive atmosphere was something Alicia did well. 
  She just nodded, drunk on Alicia's energy. She touched Licia's shoulder, "Be careful, please."
  "I'll help you guys," Blake said, leaving her to eat. He jogged out of the room after Alicia.
  Elyza sat down and stared at her plate, her stomach turned. She couldn't stop wondering about what Nick wanted. She knew she should eat but it really wasn't her main concern tonight. She ruffled her freshly died hair, drying it off with the towel. Maybe I should check on the boys first.