The Fallen

*Chapter Fourteen*

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"Special?" I question her, unsure of what she means.

"Special how? I don't understand." She smiles down at me, touching my face ever so gently.

"God's taking care of you. He's taking special care of you sweet heart." She twisted my arm closer to me so I could take a look at it. There were no cuts. Where the other day there had been a ugly deep gashes, that looked angry and red, now there was nothing. Absolutely nothing, not a single welt or pink scar as a reminder of what had happened. Nothing, there was nothing.

"How is that even possible? I don't understand?" I asked touching the skin on my arms.

"God works in mysterious ways, honey." She smiled at me lovingly. 

"God?" I questioned, and as I spoke His name, a warm and pleasant feeling washed over me.

"Oh dear, I can't say I'm surprised. Even if you didn't have amnesia, in this day and age He is somebody that many have lost touch with. He is the Maker of heaven and earth. He is the divine Creator of everything around us. It's just that evil has found a way to manifest itself and has found a way to fester and magnify itself in people. I am sad to say, that in our little world, the evil is winning. But it is our love, trust, and faith in Him that can save us. I know it." Her smile was so wide and full of warmth. And in an odd way, I knew she was right. In an odd explainable way, I could feel it, I could feel it in the pit of my soul.

I pushed myself up until I was sitting, Linda's concerned and helping hands, guiding me the entire way. I wasn't in pain anymore, so it was no trouble at all, really. I grasped both of her hands in mine. 

"I want to know more, please-" The door gently slide open, and Noah slowly walked in.

"How are you?" And without waiting for my reply, he spoke to Linda. "How is she Ma, she alright?"

Linda turned herself in her chair and turned towards Noah.

"She's just fine, she's under good care." She smiled a little, before turning her head a throwing a wink my way. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Well that's good." He ran his hand through his hair, and a thick uneasy aura fell over him. I could see Linda become rigid in her seat. "Ma, can I speak with you." Well that didn't sound too good.

Even though Linda didn't respond, I could tell that she was seething. She stood up, roughly patting down her brown skirt and walked out of the room without saying a word or looking in his direction. I glanced at Noah, and was startled to find that his persona had altered, if even in just the tiniest of ways. His eyes were harder, his stance more rigid and possessive, his chin held high. He walked out of the room in just the same manner as his mother.

I sat there a few seconds longer unsure of what to do. Finally though I got up, I had been in bed for far too long. I walked over to the boarded up window, and peaked through the cracks between two boards. The world seemed to be covered by a thin white powdery cloth. Snow. This is snow, my subconscious whispered to me. From what I could see there weren't any neighboring houses close by, just an immeasurable amount of trees. So many trees.

Suddenly I heard Noah's and Linda's hushed angry voices. It wasn't like I was trying to overhear their conversation, but the walls were so thin it was hard not to.

"You promised me you wouldn't do this again." Linda's voice was almost pleading

"I did no such thing." Noah's voice was clipped and harsh.

"Well I am your mother and I am telling you that you can not leave this house."

"I am not a child and I will do as I please." And with that I heard thundering footsteps and a door slamming, which caused the entire house to rattle to its very foundation. I heard a sigh, a sigh which was completely defeated and worn down.

Movement outside of the window caught my attention. It was Noah. He was pulling a big dark four wheeled vehicle beside him. He placed a helmet over his head and with a great thunderous roar the beast of a machine turned on. And just like that he was gone. His black figure disappearing into the brilliant whiteness of the snow.

I wasn't sure whether to go find Linda or leave her alone. In the end I decided it wasn't right to let her wallow in her sorrow after all she had done to me. Looking around, I grabbed a small white shawl that was thrown over the end of the bed and wrapped it around my shoulders before I left the room.

It wasn't hard to find Linda. The house was small enough that as I walked out of the room, I was basically standing right behind the living room. And that was exactly where I found Linda.

Linda was seated on the couch facing a large window, and away from me. Her head was in her hands, and she looked completely miserable. The almost effervescent light bouncing off of the snow, was the only light that filtered into the room.

"Linda." I almost whispered, touching her shoulder lightly. But even that was still enough to make her jump in fright.

"Oh! Ezra!" She chuckled a little, and patted the seat next to her. I rounded the couch and sat right next to her.

"Did you hear any of that?" She asked looking bashful. The only thing I could do was nod, it didn't make sense to lie to her. She would probably realize it anyways.

"He is a good boy. He really is." She shook her head. "He's just been different since Michael." She whispered so low, I almost didn't catch it.

"Michael... Who is Michael?" I asked gently placing my hand on her upper arm. Suddenly she became sullen and almost withered.

"He was Noah's younger brother... After he passed, Noah blamed himself, believing that it was all his fault. He blames himself for taking Michael to the city that day. If he hadn't he believes that they wouldn't have gotten caught, and that his brother wouldn't have been taken from this earth." She paused for a second, and almost choked as she went on. "And it was a bloody and terrible death, and Noah had to witness it all."

She paused and wiped away the tears that were threatening to spill out of her eyes.

"It wasn't his fault. I don't know how many times I tried to tell him, but he doesn't listen. His anger has also turned on those unholy and unnatural creatures, and although they are at fault, he stupidly wants to start a revolt against them. He is both outnumbered and unarmed." She paused and looked me straight in my eyes.

"Every time he leaves, I'm scared he won't return."