The Immunity

Chapter 8: Moving forward

I saw Peggy's silhouette in the dark, as it startled the hell out of me.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, sitting up.

She turned on the lamp beside my bed and sat down by my feet on the edge of the mattress.

"Nothing in particular. I just needed to talk to you about some things before you leave here."

Okay... "What is it?"

"This will seem like a load full right now, but you will see very soon. I see it now, and I just hope you are smart enough to understand that everything happens for a reason."

Um. "I understand that last part already, but what do you mean?"

She looked at me, a serious expression on her old features. "I hope you understand. And I cannot tell you everything, you have to figure out the empty spaces left yourself. Although I can tell you this: you are immune to the disease."

"But, how can that-"

She talked over me, continuing. "You will be faced with many obstacles, and you need to let others help you overcome them. You cannot always work and handle things alone, remember this. But, do not trust everyone who seems proactive; even salt looks like sugar Kiara."

Wow, super informative. But that last part made me like this woman so much more. "Well thank you for telling me your wise words, but I think that would all be assumed. I-"

"First, child, shut up. Listen to what others have to say. You are not the only person with things to spout from their idiotic mouths. Listen to what I am telling you, I am not done running my mouth, so shut yours until I finish."

Well, there went liking her.

"I already see destruction if you continue on the path you've set for yourself. You need to fit others into it to succeed. But use common sense, child. Do not only let your own feeble mind control all of your actions, who you trust. Which brings us to our last topic, my grandson."

Blake? Feeble mind? This woman obviously knocked loose a few brain cells or something.

"Blake is not stupid, despite your obvious opinion of him. He simply is much more logical, he's apprehensive about basically everything he does. While your not so logical, and jump- leap, into situations. You two will balance out the other nicely, I see it. Just remember that. Your not alone, if anything, at least trust Blake."

I just stared at her and absorbed her words. "True, I'm less talk more action. But how do I know I can trust him? Because he's your grandson? He could turn out just like my sister, but eat me while I'm sleeping. Or-"

I could not finish a sentence around this woman.

"He's immune just as much as you are, Kiara. And I'll leave our conversation at this: there's a difference between fast-acting and reckless. Learn the difference. I'll see you in the morning before your departure with Blake."

I had one more thing to say, "Peggy?"

She turned around, a little shocked I'd ask her anything else after her speech. "Yes?"

"Thank you." Hoping she knew how much I meant by those two words.

She did, and she gave me a small smile. "Your welcome, Little Griffin."

Before I could ask about what she just called me, she walked out and shut the door behind her.

**********************************

I wake up and throw my legs over the side of the bed, sitting up. The mattress made a creaking sound, which I've always hated.

Just as I was about to cover up and go back to sleep, the door opened.

"Um, are you awake?" Blake, thank goodness it wasn't Peggy.

I stood up and stretched, feeling my muscles strain and my back pop; along with my fingers as I interlaced them and pushed them outwards.

When I looked back over at Blake, I could tell he was trying to look anywhere but at me. "Blake, don't tell me your some weird hormonal teenage boy. I can't handle being self conscious about if I'm being stared at every ten seconds."

He finally looked at me, his face red from embarrassment. "Sorry. I came to get you for breakfast, then we're gonna head out... okay?"

Great. "Yea, I'm up. And I'll be out in a minute, I need to use the restroom first."

He just nodded his head and shut the door behind him, obviously trying to leave the awkward moment we'd just had.

As I walked into the kitchen, Peggy was talking to Blake.

"- I've already had this talk with Kiara, she knows. Speaking of Kiara, is she coming down?"

I cleared my throat, letting my presence be known so I didn't have to continue being talked about in third person. "I'm right here, I heard there was food?"

After we finished eating and both me and Blake were definitely full, she gave us both black bookbags. And as much as I was grateful for whatever was in it, it was heavy.

"In those are things that you'll find useful, even if they don't right now. I can't do anything else for you two, you'll have to use some common sense." Peggy told us both, and moving past us to open the front door.

Blake and I stood up from our chairs and followed her to the door, looking out.

It was so still outside, and quiet. There wasn't even a breeze. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't stillness.

"Blake, remember what I told you. Wait on the porch, I need to tell Kiara something before you two leave." Peggy said after hugging him, and kissing his cheek.

"So," she said, turning to me. "Do you like my grandson? Don't lie to me either, I'd like a straight answer."

Like Blake? "Um, no. I mean, no ma'am, I don't like Blake like that.  I barely know him." I told her, trying to be as straight forward as I could.

She just pursed her lips, and nodded. Although I could tell she didn't believe me. "Right. Well I wish you two the best of luck. He's the only family I have left, I honestly don't know why I'm letting him leave. So you two go out and figure out whatever you need to, and bring yourselves back. I'll be waiting, I've been here for 94 years, I'm not going anywhere."

Why would she think I liked Blake? Um, no. "I sure hope so." Was all I said, despite the thousands of thoughts roaming around my mind.

"So do I. Don't be stupid, it'll help your chances. Now go, I've held you far too long from leaving." She said, pushing me gently forward.

When I had gotten outside, she poked her head out once more to look at Blake; then shut it firmly and I heard it lock.

Blake looked at me expectantly, like I had a plan. "So, where to?"

I shrugged, adjusting the straps on my bookbag. "Foward."

And so we started down the street, not looking back.

Yeppo. It was okay right? Tiny cliffhanger... and things are about to get interesting.

Thank you for reading, it makes me really happy tbh. Wattpad notifs on my books make my days better : )

*Anyone who wants to send me covers for this book, you'd be appreciated. I don't know what I want it to look like : / *