New kids

Part 4

Louis, Vi, and me talked to Cody about him and Easter.

Louis asked, "How and where did you meet?"

Cody answered, "We went to school together before this mess started."

Since we had untied her once we were done, Easter rolled over in her sleep then shot up.

She gasped, hard. Then she growled staring at her leg. Easter said to herself, "Fudgen 'ell." Then she realized that we were still in the room and shyly smiled.

I said, "We just started asking Cody how and where you meet."

She nodded.

I remembered something that I doubt she will like.

I said, "Vi we need to undo the bandages."

"Why?"

Everyone looked confused but Easter, which surprised me.

Easter answered for me, "Because you didn't sterilize the wound and stitch it up."

I nodded.

She grimaced, but said, "Well the bleeding has slowed, so now would be a good time to do it."

Cody said understanding, "Okay, but only if you're ready."

She replied, "Now will be as good as time as any."

We all nodded. Vi undid the bandages. I got a needle and string. Cody got hydrogen peroxide.

"Oh no. no. no. Cody no. God no. Couldn't you have found anything else." Easter said franticly.

Cody gave a sorry smile, "I'm sorry babe but I couldn't find anything else."

Easter frowned, "I remember when mom cleaned out a cut from a rusty wire with that stuff. It stung really bad." She grimaced at the memory.

I clinched my teeth, remembering when I had to stitch up my arm. Oh, the pain that caused. I grabbed my arm without thinking, running my fingers over the scar. The everlasting reminder of that day. I snapped out of my daze to find everyone staring at me.

Louis looked confused and worried so did Vi, but Easter looked understanding and Cody gave a weak smile that said, 'It's okay.'

Surprised by my new friends' reaction, I remembered the question that they said they would answer.

I started to ask but she stopped me, I could tell by the look in her eyes that she wanted me to wait until it was just us.

Louis asked, "So I you don't mind me asking what brought you clear out here?"

She sat up straighter, "No I don't mind. We got kicked out of our camp."

Vi asked, "Why did you get kicked out?"

Cody answered, "We found out that we were running out of supplies, and we wanted to go get more but it wasn't our place to say anything, so we got kicked out."

I felt bad for them. I know what it's like once having a home and having to leave and never return.

But then again, I guess most of us knows what that feels like.

Easter's hard shell was breaking. She was becoming more emotional.

She kinda reminded me of myself. I try to be tough, but I'm broken. I've lost so much. I know that I'm close to crying but I won't. I won't allow it. I'm strong.