Discernment

Chapter 21

I woke up later on to a pounding headache, and I slowly get off the bed to see Sandra not there anymore. I walk over to Fay standing over a table with medical supplies and a piece of paper, writing stuff down. They've set up a medical area while I was gone, which was nice. I've been focused on so many other things that I had forgotten to get this place set. I walk up to Fay and wheezing as I do, limping along.

"Fay.. I-I need some painkillers." I say. Fay jumps and turns to me. "Thomas, you need to sit down! You've been out for a week at the least. Just sit down over there and wait for me.." Fay says and walks me over to a bench. I think to myself; a week. I've been out a week. What's happened since then? I don't know, I'm too fatigued to even care right now. I then look out of one eye, since my other was nearly swelled shut, to see Devan and Erin standing near each other talking, kissing at moments. Sandra and Quinton are playing with Abira. Jess is reading a story to Dani. None of them even knew I was awake, kinda glad too, don't need everyone talking me up right now.

Fay walks over to me and hands me a bottle of water and two pills. "These should help.." She says. As I'm taking them, Fay's examining my eye and the back of my head. "After those pills kick in, I'm sure you'll be ready to do anything, really. You still may have a faint headache though." She informs. I nod and smile, "Thanks Fay." I reply. "Anything else you need?" She asks. I look at the table of weapons and point. "I actually need that walkie talkie.. Something I need to do." I say. She nods and grabs it for me.

Once its in my hand, I press the button and sigh. "Ryan, you there? What's the word?" I call in. I can hear scuffling over the radio and then it stops. "It's all good, Thomas. When do you think you guys can come and set us free?" He says. I think about it, and as the pain was shifting away in my body, I smirk. "I think we could do that today.. I'm feeling pretty confident.." I say. "Today?! That's great! You get your people together and I'll get everyone that's going here ready to leave.  Then when it's time, you keep the walkie talkie on and go over the plan with all of us listening. Got it?" Ryan says.

"Got it.." I say back to him. "Fay.. Gather everyone together while these painkillers kick in." I order her. "Sure thing Thomas." She says and walks around, telling everyone to come over. While she did that I think over what to say and the plan for later. After around ten minutes, everyone came over and welcomed me back, asked how I felt, and wondered what happened. I told them everything they wanted to know, then when it got silent, I felt it was time to break the news to everyone.

"So, while I was at the Zealots' place, I made allies with one of the guards there, who happens to be the closest to Joel. He's often seen with Joel, you can tell it's him since he has the hook for a hand.. Ryan is his name. Ryan wants our help to lead those people out of there. And we'll bring them here, start this community for good. Now, we're going there tonight.. This is a new beginning, for us, and for them!" I state. The group starts cheering and agreeing with the plan. Fay, on the other hand, pulls me aside to talk to me. "Thomas, with your conditions, you can't be fighting them. There's just no way!" She tells me. "Fay.. I understand.. Though, I don't plan to fight. I plan to be a distraction. When the group gets there, I'll have a plan. It doesn't involve me doing anything physical. Don't worry, I'll be safe." I tell her. "Alright, I'm trusting you, Thomas."

Within an hour, we're all getting ready for this battle. I look over to see Sandra and Erin arguing off in the distance. "You're still injured, Sandra! You can't go!" Erin's saying to her. "I'm just fine, Erin. I'm going and you can't stop me!" Sandra says. "I'm only looking after you, Sandra. You need to listen to me and stay back here." Erin states. "You're only saying this because you love Devan over me!" Sandra cries. "What the fuck are you even talking about? I'm literally telling you to stay behind to be safe!" Erin says. "You're just a terrible sister.." Sandra mutters as she storms off.