Imogen sighed. “It can be. She’s always pushing me to be more and do more. It’s like I’m drowning underneath the weight of her expectations.”
“Is that why you went to Kalama? I wondered why you’d be out there if your mom was the mayor,” Rogue said.
“Yes, I ran away from her. A fat lot of good that did me. Officially, the mission was a success. We found a new settlement: You guys. Plus, there are now opportunities for trade and such with your people. But unofficially, I’m a failure. I lost two planes and three members of the crew. The third plane is stuck in Prime City, along with two more members of the crew.”
“That’s hardly your fault,” Rogue protested.
“Tell that to my mother. She acts as if I deliberately tried to sabotage her administration,” Imogen said with a sigh. “Not everyone is a fan of her policies, and some might use this as ammunition against her.”
“I see. The opposition, you mean?”
“Uh-huh. And to top it off, I showed up with your group asking for… asking for…” Imogen looked away. “Sorry, I think I’ve said too much already.”
“You showed up with a group of settlers asking for handouts, right?” Rogue finished for her.
“It’s not like that. You’re not like that,” Imogen said, but her fiery cheeks put the lie to her words.
“You can be honest with me, Imogen. I won’t tell your mom,” Rogue said. “Besides, I’d like to know where we stand. This is our future, after all. Our lives.”
“I know, and it’s not that you’re not welcome here, but I expected more from my mother. Usually, she’s thrilled when new settlements are discovered, and she’s quick to establish ties through gifts and such. Even if it’s calculated, she still does it because it means a lot for Vancouver.”
“But this time, she wasn’t so happy to see us, right?” Rogue said as a sense of foreboding stole over her.
“Exactly, and I don’t know why. She won’t tell me,” Imogen said. “It can’t be because of me and the opposition. I screwed up, but not badly enough to cost her the title of mayor.”
“It could be something else,” Rogue said. “Maybe she’s facing difficulties with supply or trade with other settlements. Perhaps your summer crops failed, or you suffered other losses. Anything is possible.”
“You’re right, and I need to find out what it is,” Imogen said with a determined glint in her eyes.
“Will you tell me if you do find out?” Rogue asked.
“As long as you promise to keep it to yourself,” Imogen said. “My mom will be furious if I share inner knowledge with outsiders.”
“Of course,” Rogue said.
“But don’t let any of this worry you,” Imogen said, reaching out to squeeze Rogue’s hand. “At least, Seth secured enough supplies from my mother to tide you over for the next few months. That’s all that counts.”
“Thank you for your help. We couldn’t have done this without you,” Rogue said with a broad smile.
“I didn’t do all that much. I just twisted my mom’s arm a bit,” Jessica said with a shrug. “The rest was all down to Seth.”
“Don’t be modest. I’m sure it’s because of you that she helped us as much as she did,” Rogue said.
“Maybe, but I owed you one. After all, you saved both Jessica and Lee from certain death,” Imogen said, standing up.
“And you saved mine,” Rogue said, lifting her bandaged leg in the air.
“What are friends for,” Imogen said with a bright smile. “But, I have to run now. It’s getting late.”
“That’s too bad,” Rogue replied with a real sense of disappointment. In the short period she’d known her, she’d come to like Imogen. Despite her youth, she was sharp, observant, intelligent, and always had a smile on her face. A little ray of sunshine.
“Don’t worry. I’ll visit again. Promise,” Imogen said.
“Alright. Take care of yourself.”
“You too,” Imogen said, ducking out of the room.
After she’d gone, Rogue leaned back against her pillows with a sigh. The situation in Vancouver was a lot more volatile than she’d expected, and she wondered if Seth knew what he was up against. Knowing him, he probably does. Seth misses nothing, even if he doesn’t show it.
One thing was for sure, however. It was time she got out of the damn hospital and back to reality. Seth needed her, and she was done lying around in bed all day as if she were an invalid. It’s time to get this show on the road.
Chapter 8
With a grunt of determination, Rogue swung her legs over the side of the bed. She placed one, then the other foot on the cold tiled floor. With a shiver, she stood upright and waited for a sudden dizzy spell to pass. Once the vertigo passed, she grinned and said, “There. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“What isn’t that hard?” a voice asked from the doorway, and she looked up into Seth’s frowning face.
“Walking. I’m taking a walk,” Rogue said, flashing him her most winning smile.
“Oh, no, you’re not,” Seth said with a shake of the head. “You’re not ready for that.”
“Yes, I am.” She spotted the bag on his back and seized the chance to change the subject. “What’s that?”
“I got you a few things.”
“Like what?”
“A change of clothes, some toiletries. Nothing major,” he replied.
“Thanks,” Rogue said, taking the bag from him. She looked inside and grinned when she spotted her favorite t-shirt and jeans. The same ones she’d worn the day she got attacked. Upon closer examination, she noticed that someone had mended the tear on the leg. The stitches were small and neat. Too neat to be Seth’s handiwork. “Who fixed this?”
“Mrs. Potts did.”
“Who’s that?”
“The lady who runs the boarding house. She’s a real sweetheart.”
“Really? I’d like to meet her.”
“You’ll get the chance, but right now, you need to get back into bed,” Seth said. “Besides, you can’t leave when you have visitors.” He stepped aside to reveal Bear and Jessica standing behind him in the hallway.
“Bear! Jessica!” Rogue cried, flinging herself into their arms. She gave each of them a big hug. “I’m so glad to see you two.”
“It’s good to see you’re up and about, little one,” Bear said, patting her on the head.
Rogue peered up at him. “Um, thanks, Bear.”
“Agreed. The sooner you get out of here, the better,” Jessica said with a shudder. “Hospitals creep me out.”
“You and me both,” Rogue agreed, looking down at her bandaged leg. Then she frowned. Something was missing. Or rather, someone. “Where’s David? And Tony?”
Jessica and Bear exchanged a long look.
“They left,” Jessica said.
“Left? Left where?” Rogue asked with dismay.
“They went home,” Seth said.
“Home? To Prime?”
“I’m afraid so,” Seth said.
“Why? How?”
“They felt it was for the best. David wanted to talk to Jamie, and they both have people who need them,” Seth explained.
“That’s right. They left with the second shipment meant for Prime,” Jessica added.
“I guess I can understand that,” Rogue said, thinking of her own friends and family back home. She missed them a lot. So much it hurt. The thought of hopping on a plane and going home was tempting. “But… they didn’t even say goodbye.”
“They wanted to but there was no time. The plane left half-an-hour ago,” Jessica said, her expression somber.
“That sucks,” Rogue said, her lips forming a pout. But after a few seconds, she stood up. “Well, I’m still taking that walk.”
“You can’t,” Seth protested.
“Yes, I can,” Rogue insisted. “I already made a trip to the bathroom and back this morning.”
“You did?”
“Best shower I ever had,” Rogue said with
a nod.
“And the doctor was fine with it?”
“More than fine. Apparently, I need the exercise,” Rogue said.
Seth eyed her for a second. “And the nurses will verify that? You’re not… embroidering the truth?”
Rogue gasped. “I’m not lying! Go ask if you want.”
“Fine, fine. I believe you,” Seth said, throwing both hands in the air. “Let’s go.”
“Yes,” Rogue said, doing a fist pump. She limped past Seth, Bear, and Jessica, determined to give it her best shot. She walked down the hall and past the nurse’s station. “Hi, ladies.”
“I see you’re taking our advice,” one nurse answered.
“How could I not?” Rogue answered, shooting her a grin. “The sooner I get better, the sooner I’m out of your hair.”
“Don’t be in too much of a rush,” another nurse answered.
“Yeah, don’t overdo it,” the last one said, waving her off.
“Thanks, ladies,” Rogue replied, making her way to the far end of the hall. Once there, she hesitated, uncertain which way to go.
“Want to see something spectacular?” Seth asked.
“Yes, please,” Rogue said. “Anything’s better than these four walls.”
“Follow me.”
Taking the lead, Seth led them down a couple of corridors to a flight of stairs. There, he paused. “It’s five floors up, babe. I’ll have to carry you.”
“No, I can do it,” Rogue said, peering up the steps.
“No, you can’t. You heard what the nurses said. Don’t overdo it,” Seth cautioned.
“Fine, whatever. Do what you want,” Rogue said, but secretly she was glad he’d insisted. Despite her bravado, the short walk had tired her, and her leg was on fire.
Seth presented his back to her, and she climbed onto it like a monkey. Once she’d settled in, he asked, “Are you comfortable?”
“Very,” she said. Making a sound like a whiplash, she kicked Seth in the ribs. “Giddy up!”
“Hey, now. I’m nobody’s ride,” Seth said, flashing her an evil look.
“Today you are. Get a move on, horsey,” Rogue cried. “Whoop whoop!”
A few minutes later, Seth dragged himself up the last couple of steps. Heaving for breath, he dropped her to the floor. “That’s the last time I haul your ass up five flights of stairs.”
“It was your idea,” Rogue reminded him. “Now, what did you want to show me?”
“It’s this way,” Seth said, pointing toward a set of double-glass doors. He pushed them open with a flourish. “Tada. Just look at that view!”
Bright, warm sunlight flooded through the opening, and Rogue had to shield her eyes at first. Once her vision adjusted, she stepped onto the balcony and gasped. It was like nothing she’d ever seen before or would again. Stretched out below was a majestic view of Prehistoric Vancouver. A stunning mixture of both old and new, past and future.
“Seth, it’s amazing,” Rogue said, taking it all in.
“I know. Can you imagine Prime looking like that one day? Or the Zoo? Maybe even the whole of Portland.”
Rogue shook her head, unable to form a coherent thought. A mixture of buildings filled the landscape, made from every conceivable material: Glass, concrete, brick, rocks, and wood. Cobbled streets and gravel lanes cut through the ordered chaos, while evergreen parks provided relief to the eye. Exotic shrubs and flowers of every hue lined the walkways, and the ocean glittered on the horizon like a topaz jewel. “It’s beautiful.”
“I knew you’d like it,” Seth said, draping one arm around her waist.
She sucked in a deep breath of fresh air and savored the tang of the salt breeze on her lips. The distant sea claimed her attention, and she wondered what it’d be like to sail on its waters. Maybe one day, I’ll get the chance.
“I’ve never seen my home from this vantage point before,” Jessica said with a look of wonder. She leaned over the railing and looked down. “It’s quite something.”
“That it is,” Bear agreed, but he stood a pace or two back from the edge.
“Not fond of heights, huh?” Jessica said with a teasing grin.
“Not really,” Bear said.
For a few minutes, the four of them stood in silence, each occupied by their own thoughts. The wind tugged at their clothes before swirling off into the distance, traveling to lands they’d never get to see in their lifetimes.
For Rogue, it was a glimpse into the future. Faced with the possibility of what could be, she found herself at a loss for words. Her entire life had been one long struggle to make ends meet. Hunger was never far away, a looming specter that haunted her dreams. It was the same for most of the citizens of Prime and even the Exiles. Life was hard.
But here, it didn’t have to be, and if Vancouver could do it, so could they. All they needed was a chance. That and a helping hand. The question was, how much help would Mauve Finley and her administration be willing to give? And what will they want in return?
Chapter 9 - Kat
After Sandi left to fetch her some food, Kat turned her attention to the bowl of herbal liquid in her lap. Closing her eyes, she took slow deep breaths and allowed the steam to penetrate every nook and cranny of her lungs.
The strange concoction eased the constant need to cough and loosened the stranglehold the Red Flux had on her breathing. The poultice also soothed the raw rash on her skin, and she felt better after the treatment. It was with a measure of hope that she faced the future. Perhaps she and the baby stood a chance at survival after all.
Once the water had cooled, she placed the bowl on the bedside table and stood up. Her full bladder called, and she hurried toward the waiting toilet. Afterward, she washed her hands and face and drank a glass of water. It was important to stay hydrated, that much she knew. Hydrated and rested.
Dr. Bloomberg drilled it into her head when he visited that morning. He was kind enough to meet her in her room, saving her from the trip to his offices. After a thorough examination, he appeared worried but hopeful.
“I wish I had the proper medicine to give you, my dear. All I can offer is something to keep the fever down,” he’d said, handing her a bottle of capsules. “Should it not be enough, get into a cold bath and send someone to find me straight away.”
“I understand.”
“But for the moment, you are both fine. The baby’s heartbeat is strong, and so is yours,” Dr. Bloomberg said, patting her hand.
“Do you think we stand a chance?” she’d asked, fear causing her voice to falter.
“I cannot predict the future, my dear, but there is always a chance. Do not let fear cloud your mind.”
“I’ll try.”
“And drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest,” he’d said, wagging his finger at her. “Don’t over-exert yourself.”
“Thank you, Doctor. I’ll keep that in mind.”
It was with a sense of regret that she saw him off. He was a kind man, and he had faith. Something that was in short supply at the moment.
Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, Kat wished Callum was there. It was a selfish wish, for her illness would cause him nothing but worry and pain. No, he was better off away from her and the Red Flux.
With a sigh, Kat made her way back to her bed. Though she was feeling better, she was still sick and needed to rest. Then she heard the airplane fly overhead and froze in her tracks. “It can’t be. A plane? Here? At Prime?”
A mixture of joy and relief flooded her veins. The mission to Vancouver must have succeeded. It was the only explanation. With that realization came another. I have to be there. I have to meet the plane and its occupants. Maybe Seth, Rogue, and the rest are on it. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Throwing caution to the wind, Kat donned a pair of pants, shoes, and a long-sleeved shirt. She dragged her hair into a rough ponytail and pulled on a plastic overcoat, gloves, and a mask. “That should do it.”
With her protective gear in place, Kat exited t
he room and headed toward the stairs. But a sudden bout of coughing nearly sent her to her knees, and she had to wait for it to pass. The episode left her weak and trembling, and she considered turning back.
Forcing herself to her feet, Kat stumbled into the stairwell. She was not about to give up, bad idea or not. I’m fine. I can do this.
The first couple of flights were quiet as she descended toward the infirmary. But the lower down she went, the more crowded it became. By the time she reached the infirmary, she was shocked to find it in total chaos.
People milled about like sheep, calling for friends and family lost in the throng. The hospital staff tried to instill a sense of order, but nobody listened. The situation was rapidly unraveling, and Kat knew she had to do something.
Fighting against the exhaustion that dragged at her limbs, she ducked behind the nurse’s station and reached for the loudspeaker. After a quick test, she climbed onto the nearest chair. “Alright, that’s enough, everyone. Calm down!”
The loudspeaker carried Kat’s voice far and wide, amplifying the sound until it was impossible to ignore. Within an instant, calm descended over the crowd. Dozens of faces turned her way, expectant and waiting.
“I know you’re all excited or frightened, or maybe a bit of both, but you must calm down,” Kat said.
“What’s happening out there? What was that sound?” an elderly lady called out in a querulous voice.
“The noise you heard earlier was an airplane. What exactly that means for us, I don’t know yet. But causing a panic is not helping anyone,” Kat said, pausing to draw breath. “We have patients in here. Sick people. Family. Friends. We cannot threaten the stability of this facility because of fear. Please return to your designated areas.”
“What about the plane? Whose is it? Where did it come from?” a man from the crowd called.
“I do not know, but I will find out,” Kat said, raising one hand to forestall the protests that came her way. “You will have your answers. I promise.”
“We’ve heard that before,” a woman grumbled. “We all have.”
Primordial Earth: Book 7 (The Extinction Series - A Prehistoric, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi Thriller) Page 6
