Steel Ethereal

Ch. 32 Augmentative Training

            

Rob

            Overnight I seemed to be back to normal. As opposed to Charlie who still looked as if she needed some time to recover, I looked as I had before my metamorphosis.

            Liam merely grunted something about leaving and making room for someone else who needed the room.

I still felt weak, but that was remedied with lunch. The hospital food is similar to the mess hall's food and it brings me a small sliver of joy.

After I eat I dress in the clothes Jenna has brought me for exiting the hospital. It is two months later and winter is in full swing. Jenna's has brought me two coats. I doubt I'll need them both so one I'll be carrying home.

I stand over Charlie, muttering the words I'd speak to her if she were awake. When I finished speaking, I leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then her cheek.

Her nose twitches and a ghost of a smile comes over her lips.

I smile as I my hand across hers. When she awoke, we'd have to talk about certain things.

            I gather my extra coat and leave the hospital. I wave goodbye to Liam on the way back. He replies by grumpily shooing me away with his clipboard.

            It is chilly on the way home and rainy. When I get home, I just want to sleep. I didn't know what would come next. I probably wouldn't be clear to work as a guard for a while. I didn't want Liam to come bashing on my door should he hear I was on the job already.

            I find myself in the same position I was several months ago after returning from Bastion. I'm discovered to have a strong augmentation and likely I'll be asked to demonstrate my powers.

            The next morning, I walk to the Inez memorial. My shoes and pant legs brush past dead grass. It is different here in the winter morning. It is stiller and there is barely any breeze. The sky above is a white void I've grown to know so well since I've arrived. I find it strange that I had not paid attention to something so vast and above me before.

            The rock of the memorial is damp from rain the day before, but I don't care. I sit on the stone and contemplate what to do next.

I really miss Charlie. Her laugh, her snickering, her chortling laughter. I missed her boorish tendencies and her ability to drink me under the table.

Afternoon comes and passes. I open a book I've brought with me to pass the time. The Inez memorial was many things and a perfect reading spot was one of them.

I receive a message toward the evening time. It's from Jenna.

"Let's get dinner. I want to talk with you for a bit?"

I nod as if she could see me and I close the book.

We meet at the same diner from before. Jenna is already seated, a cup of tea with a lot of cream sits nearby. She waves me over with a greeting smile. A thick coat sits on her seat behind her.

We sat and exchanged pleasantries. I order a burger and fries.

"So, I did miss your company, Rob. But I need to talk with you over some things."

"Such as?"

"Riley wanted to be here, but he's swamped. He knew the day you went through your metamorphosis would come. He says it's time for you to train a bit more. We need to gage what you can and can't do." Jenna explains.

"Sounds simple enough." I say.

"It could be, or it could be incredibly difficult. Each Enoch is different. I got the hang of my own augmentation over the course of four years. Luciana? Six months before she was out in the field as a soldier of sixteen." Jenna palms the cup of tea and takes a deep sip. She seems a bit envious of Luciana's quick and easy road.