Stranded Star

Chapter 2

Astrid sat straight up in the bed, breathing heavy, heart racing. Cal, who had been sleeping in the chair next to her, was also startled awake. "I'm sorry..." she began to say but her voice was wavering. "It was me...all of you were gone...because of me." Her head was heavy and the pain in her chest had not subsided. She lifted up her shirt to feel where she saw the blade come through her body. When she looked down she saw a red scar with black veins protruding from it like roots from a tree. What she felt in the dream was real. Her breathing began to quicken and she pulled her knees to her chest. Tears began to fill her eyes.

"It killed me...I died...there was nothing left" her voice was barely above a whisper.

Cal reached over and gently touched her shoulder. Her hair was wet with sweat.

"Astrid," Cal said, "They can't hurt you here, I promise."

Zeke and Hess also made their way towards the bed, all eyes on her. Astrid pulled herself tighter into her knees to distance herself from them. She couldn't bear to look at the faces of those she had just seen disappear.

Cal gently guided her into his chest and her body shook against his gentle restraint. She was uncomfortably hot as if her skin might ignite at any moment, but Cal felt cool which was a relief. 

"Astrid...we are all here for you," he whispered into her ear. His voice was distant and muffled but his cold breath felt good against her burning skin.

"I shouldn't be alive...I shouldn't be here," she managed to say between shortened breaths.

"Astrid, listen to me." A  hand grabbed one of her balled up fists. "Please," he begged. "You are here, and we need you," his words were desperate.

She leaned further into his grasp, tears and sweat dripping down her face. She raised her head slightly to bury her nose in the crook of his neck. He smelled of pine and winter air - another cathartic sensation. He carefully held her close and she couldn't deny the way she felt calmed by his presence and touch. Every breath in was filled with his scent which helped distract her from the vision still playing in her head.

She couldn't tell if she had been wrapped up in his arms for minutes or hours but slowly her tears stopped flowing and her body stopped shaking. The tensed muscles relaxed one by one, letting her weight fall into Cal even more. Eventually her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep.

When Astrid awoke again, Cal's arms were still wrapped around her, his fingertips sleepily brushing through her hair. It was still dark outside which made it difficult to determine the time.

"This is only the beginning," Hess whispered to Zeke from the table.

"He can't stay here with her while she figures it out," said another unrecognizable voice. "He has a job to do."

"Come off it, Festus. We all know we can be gone a while without anyone noticing," replied Zeke.

"I just think it's irresponsible. No one even told me you were going to get her!" His voice was slightly raised and irritated.

"Wow, I wonder why?" Zeke shot back sarcastically.

"Every time she comes back we have to cover for him," Festus continued.

"You didn't seem to mind when it was him covering for you!" said Zeke, his voice raised.

Hess chimed in to mediate, "We all know what's at stake here and we all care about each other. We will take turns looking after her." A mug slammed on the table followed by the door opening and slamming shut.

Zeke sighed, "Those two need to work their shit out."

Gently pulling herself away so as to not wake Cal, she climbed out of the bed and caught eyes with Zeke from across the room. She was so nauseous and weak, just standing there seemed difficult. Looking out the window she longed for the cold air to cool her overheated body.  She looked back at Zeke who nodded to her as if he knew what she was thinking. Her boots had been replaced to her bedside and she smiled at Zeke before grabbing them and heading towards the door.