The Nuclear Frontier

Chapter 11

As I slowly oened my eyes i became aware of a dull hum of voices somewhere off to my left and a cool hand on my shoulder. As the voices started to clear , i was able to make out the voice of a man speaking in low tones to crystal, whom i could tell had been crying by the sound of her voice.

"Don't worry, he has been through worse before, he will be fine." said the man

"I sure hope so." She said, and then burst into tears again.

"Don't cry," i croaked out, and it felt like saying those two words took every bit of the strength i had, i couldn't even open my eyes. Suddenly, i was aware of soft arms around me and a soft crying by my head.

"Never, ever, do that to me again!" She said, and in a small whisper, almost too low to hear she added "I thought i lost you."

And then i felt like i had to do something, i had to comfort her, i had to let her know that everything was going to be alright. so with strength i didn't have, or possibly pure willpower alone, i opened my eyes and put my arms around her.

"So what," I said. "no breakfast?" she sat up, wiped her tears away, laughed, and playfully hit my arm.

Then i caught sight of the man standing against the wall opposite me and Crystal. I quickly reached for the gun i kept on the table beside my bed and swung it around to face him. He calmly stepped in to the light and said "Is that any way to treat an old friend?"

I slowly lowered my gun as i finally realized who it was.

"Deacon, is that really you?" i asked

"The one and only!" he said, a huge grin on his face.

I Slowly stood up and I stumbled. Deacon rushed over and steadied me.

"And yes, we did make breakfast." He said, a look of mock hurt on his face. And what a breakfast it was; there was biscuits, gravy, bacon, eggs, porridge and something i do not remember the name of, it was eggs mixed with mushroom and some spices inside of a biscuit.

After I had ate, I went to go and get the peppers and veggies from my garden out back, but before i got to the door Crystal stopped me and, with a look of concern on her face, told me "I can go get the things from the garden, you need your rest." And with that she walked out the door.

Once she was out of earshot, Deacon looked at me and said, with a huge smile on his face "So, you finally found you a nice girl to settle down with, huh?

"It's not like that." i said, and then i realized, she was supposed to go home a week ago.

"Oh," He said, "Well i might just have to start talking to her myself."

"Don't you dare!" I growled on impulse, then i realized what i said but it was already too late to take it back. Deacon was looking at me, a huge smile on his face.

"I knew it!!" he said and roared with laughter.

"Even if I did have a thing for her, what would make her love a monster like me, she probably just wants to go back to her town." i said, getting more depressed with each word.

"You're wrong, you know." he said, his face suddenly serious.

"How would you know?" I asked.

"Because i went back there with her this morning, all she would talk about is how we needed to get back here to take care of you. Jack, I think she loves you." He said.

"Oh," i said as my heart skipped a beat.

"All done!" Said Crystal cheerfully from the doorway.

"Thanks for helping out like that." i said

"No problem at all!" At all she said, a huge grin spreading across her face.

That was the first time i noticed her, i mean actually noticed her. She was beautiful beyond compare. Her shiny dark-brown hair ran down past her shoulders, looking into grey eyes would not allow me to think of anything else. her slightly tanned skin hypnotized me, i found myself looking for longer than i should have so I (finally, with all my willpower) turned my head.

Thankfully, she didn't notice, and if she did she didn't show it. I stood up and almost fell, but Crystal put a steadying arm around me and helped me back to my bed. I was already tired from the little moving I had done, i was about to fall asleep when i heard Deacon talking to Crystal.

"Jack is my friend, has been for a long time, so I am going to put this bluntly. You love him don't you?" he said

"... Well... I... I..." she stammered

"its a yes or no question."

"Yes, I think I do." she said. "Do you think he loves me?"

"Trust me," He said. "If he didn't, you would be long gone. He loves you more than even he knows."

Then I fell asleep.