“You did that for me?” Rogue said, a lump forming in her throat.
“I remember you saying you’d like to have a few books for your own infirmary,” another nurse said, stepping forward. “The one at Prime.”
Rogue nodded, recognizing the woman as Nurse Wells. The same woman who’d chatted to her about books the other day. That she’d remembered Rogue’s wish was surprising. It made the gesture even more meaningful, and a couple of tears brimmed over to spill down her cheeks. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, dear,” the matron said. “As patients go, you were a breeze. We were all happy to pitch in and collect this for your people back home. It’s not much, but we hope it will make their stay at the hospital a little easier.”
“Yes, it’s never easy being sick,” Nurse Alcott said. “Having a good book to read makes the time pass by a lot faster.”
Rogue dashed at the tears that ran down her face and managed a tremulous nod. “Thank you so much, guys. This means the world to me, as it will to everyone back home.”
“Look after yourself,” Abrahams, a gruff orderly, said. “It’s good to know there are other people out there, and that we’re not alone in this world.”
“Amen to that,” another orderly said.
“It will mean a lot to my people, too. Knowing you’re all here, and that you care,” Rogue said, hugging the parcel of books to her chest.
“Of course we care, sweetie,” Nurse Wells said. She stepped forward and pulled Rogue into a warm hug.
Nurse Alcott was next, followed by all the rest. By the time they were done, Rogue was sobbing like a baby. “Okay, that’s enough, guys. If you keep going, I might decide to stay.”
“Not when the whole of Vancouver is waiting for you, young miss,” Abrahams said, taking his leave.
“That’s right. Have fun!” Nurse Alcott said.
One by one, the others followed until she was left alone once more. With a sigh, she stared at the room that had been her temporary home for the past few days. “I’m going to miss this.”
“Miss what exactly?” Seth asked, popping up in the doorway.
Rogue jumped. “Don’t do that. You scared me half to death.”
“At least you’re in a hospital. The perfect place to drop down dead,” Seth said. “Are you ready to get out of here?”
“Yup, I can’t wait.”
“Are you sure? Because you just said you’re gonna miss the place,” Seth teased.
“What’s not to miss?” Rogue asked with a shrug. “A warm bed, clean sheets, three square meals per day, hot showers, and all the books I can read.”
“Don’t forget the fudge,” Seth said, producing a packet from his pocket. “I bribed the cafeteria lady.”
“Aw, you shouldn’t have,” Rogue cried, throwing her arms around him. “You’re the best boyfriend ever.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” he said, kissing her on the lips.
They clung to each other for several breathless moments before Rogue pulled away. “Let’s go. I don’t want to waste another minute.”
“Deal,” Seth said, picking up her bag.
She handed him the parcel of books, and he grunted. “What the hell is in here? Rocks?”
“Books.”
“Books?” he asked with a quizzical frown.
“It’s a long story,” Rogue said. “I’ll tell you on the way out.”
“Deal,” Seth said, nudging her out the door. “After you.”
Rogue didn’t need to be told twice. This time, there was no hesitation on her part. While the hospital and its staff had been good to her, it was her chance to move on. After all, the whole world waited outside its doors, and she was ready for a new adventure.
Chapter 13
Rogue jogged down the steps of the hospital, her spirits high. It was a beautiful day with clear skies and a smattering of fluffy white clouds on the horizon. The sun hovered on the horizon, its rays warm but not too hot, and a slight breeze tugged at her braid.
“Whoa, slow down,” Seth called, barely able to keep up.
“Not a chance,” Rogue cried, jumping the last few steps.
“Well, you could help me carry these books, you know,” he added. “They’re kind of heavy.”
She ignored him, not willing to slow down for even a second. The city called, and she was ready to answer. “Where’s the car?”
“Over there,” Seth, pointing with his chin at a red mustang close to the steps.
Rogue whistled. “That’s a beauty.”
“I thought you’d like it,” Jessica said, climbing out of the driver’s seat.
“Whose is it?” Rogue asked.
“Lee’s.”
“And he won’t mind?” Rogue asked.
“He lets me borrow it from time to time,” Jessica said with a grin. “I’m sure he won’t mind.”
“Uh-huh,” Rogue said with a disbelieving shake of her head. “I’d mind, and that’s a fact.”
“Well, I’d rather ask for forgiveness than permission,” Jessica said, winking. “If you get my meaning.”
“Er… right. I get it,” Rogue said, returning the wink.
Jessica walked around the car and popped the trunk. With muttered thanks, Seth dumped Rogue’s bag and books inside.
In the meantime, Bear hauled his bulk out of the passenger seat and studied Rogue from top to bottom. Finally, he nodded. “Good. You picked up some weight.”
Rogue’s cheeks flushed bright red. “Don’t say that!”
“Why not?” Bear countered. “It suits you. You look all grown-up now.”
“Whatever,” Rogue grumbled, submitting to a pat on the shoulder.
“He’s right. You look good,” Jessica said, climbing behind the wheel.
Still blushing, Rogue got into the backseat. Bear and Seth followed, and the engine roared to life.
“Where to first?” Jessica asked, twisting around in her seat.
“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” Rogue said. “I want to see everything.”
“Everything, huh?” Jessica said. “Let’s see what we can do.”
She shifted the car into gear and pulled away in a cloud of smoke. Grinning, Rogue settled into her seat. The day was off to a brilliant start, and she couldn’t wait to see what more it had in store for her.
“Are you excited?” Seth asked, reaching out to take her hand.
“You know it!” Rogue said, squeezing his fingers.
What followed was a tour of Vancouver, with Jessica pointing out the landmarks. To the north, the Coast Mountains provided a majestic backdrop to the city. Even this early in the season, their caps were covered with a frosting of snow that gleamed in the early morning sun.
The downtown area sat on a peninsula in the Strait of Georgia. It was bound to the south by the delta of the Fraser River, and the north by a deep fiord reaching far inland. A vast field of wind turbines covered part of the peninsula and stretched up onto the mainland.
Rogue gaped with fascination at these colossal machines turning over and over in the wind, generating enough electricity to power the entire area. A vast green forest bordered the city and stretched inland as far as the eye could see. The deep blue sea matched it on the other side, its sapphire waters dotted with fishing and trading boats.
Concrete boulders extended outward in a half-circle, creating a safe harbor for the crafts. Similarly, a wall surrounded the metropolis, manned by guard towers around the clock. Each tower boasted an array of defenses. From flares and flashes designed to frighten away curious wildlife, to machine-gun turrets.
Three main gates provided access to the city and led outward to a network of trade routes. Twice a year, the roads were cleared of fallen debris, and ditches were filled in with gravel. Though rough, they were passable.
But while all of this was amazing, Rogue was more interested in the inner workings of the city. “Look at that!” she cried around almost every corner.
Lush, green parks dotted the area. These were filled with people out on a leisurely stroll, and she even spotted a couple of joggers. She also found it hard to believe people had the time to take walks and runs. Don’t they have work to do?
“Pets? You have pets here?” Rogue asked when she saw a dog-walker. “I’d like to have a dog. Just think about it, Seth. Our very own puppy.”
“Um, I don’t know,” he said, shifting around in his seat. “That sounds like a big responsibility.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t be so sure about it either,” Jessica said with a laugh. “Veterinarians are scarce, hence expensive. Few people can afford the medical bills associating with owning a pet, plus you need a license. All animals need yearly check-ups and inoculations to prevent diseases from spreading. The livestock too.”
“Huh,” Rogue said, reconsidering the idea.
After a brief tour of the urban districts, with their tranquil housing, quaint shops, and pretty scenery, they braved the bustling industrial area. Here, there was plenty of evidence of work. Hard, back-breaking labor. It showed the other side of the coin, glimpsed in the hollow eyes of factory workers, and the dirt ingrained into their skins. Minimum wage workers, they formed the backbone of Vancouver and its industry.
This made Rogue revise her opinion of the city. While the metropolis boasted many modern wonders and provided a home to thousands, it wasn’t all that different from Prime. The rich sat at the top, a small minority that ruled over the rest. At the bottom were the majority, living lives of hardship and poverty. The middle-class was sandwiched in between these two factions, creating a buffer. They gave the lower class something to aspire to. Hope. And that kept them from rebelling against the system.
This became even more clear when they drove through one of the poorer districts with its run-down buildings, faded signs, and failing infrastructure. Rats scurried through the garbage, and dimly lit pool halls and strip clubs lined the street.
There has to be a better way, Rogue thought. She chewed her bottom lip as she considered the human world and its many complexities. What was the answer to their problems? She didn’t know. Was there even an answer, or was she being idealistic?
“Are you okay?” Seth asked, noting her sudden silence.
“I’m fine,” Rogue said, but she shuddered when she spotted a beggar lying on a street corner in a nest of rags.
“I think we’ve had enough for one day,” Seth said. “Let’s go back to the boarding house. You must be tired.”
“No, I’m not,” Rogue said, shaking her head.
“Then what do you want,” he asked, leaning closer.
Rogue thought about it. “You know what? I’ve never seen the ocean. Not up close anyway. Could you take us there, Jessica?”
“Of course! That’s a great idea,” Jessica said. “I’ll show you the harbor and the beachfront. You’ll love it, I’m sure.”
Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Rogue was able to forget about the city’s seedy underbelly for a while. As they drew nearer to the sea, she stuck her head out of the window. Her skin grew clammy, and salt rimmed her lips. Seagulls clamored overhead, soaring through the skies above.
The harbor was a maze of piers, and walkways lined with boats of all sizes. Sailors, fishermen, and tradesmen went about their business, and cargo ships unloaded their wares onto the docks. Further out, big ships lay at anchor, too big to fit into the harbor.
Rogue marveled at their size. She couldn’t believe such large chunks of metal could float. “Why don’t they sink?”
“I’ll tell you later,” Seth said, looping one hand around her waist. “For now, just enjoy the sights.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” she replied with a cheeky grin before sprinting down a pier, free as a bird. She drew to a stop at the very edge and watched the water splash against the wooden posts below her feet. Dark shapes flitted through the briny depths, and she remembered her encounter with the monstrous Clidastis.
With a shiver, she took a step back. The sea was filled with creatures both wondrous and terrifying, and she was not about to tempt fate. Not again. After a last look, she returned to Seth and the rest of her party.
“Have you had enough?” Seth asked, and she nodded.
“How about a quick lunch?” Jessica asked. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving.”
“I could eat,” Bear said.
“No surprise there,” Jessica said with a laugh.
He rumbled a response and playfully yanked her ponytail. She yelped in surprise and punched him on the shoulder. “Watch it!”
Bear swooped in for a quick kiss, planting one right on the lips. “Gotcha!”
Blushing furiously, Jessica fended off his assault with both hands. “Argh, stop it.”
Rogue couldn’t help but smile at the sight. It was good to see Bear so happy. Though the two weren’t overly romantic, it was clear they were a couple. It’s about time too. Everyone deserves love.
Once order was restored, Jessica took them to a small corner pub. The dingy shop reeked of fish and the sign had faded until only a few letters remained. Sticky tables lined the walls, and the clientele looked like the kind to avoid on a dark night.
“This is the Flounder, and they serve the best fish and chips in town,” Jessica announced.
“It looks dodgy,” Bear said.
“I know, but you won’t get better food anywhere else,” Jessica said, picking a corner table that looked passably clean.
“What are chips?” Rogue asked with a doubtful frown.
“You’ll see,” Jessica said, refusing to say more. She ordered for all four of them and paid with a silver coin she dug out of her pocket.
Minutes later, the food arrived, served on a wooden board covered in greasy paper. The meal was a revelation, and nobody cared about their surroundings once they dug in.
Rogue couldn’t get enough of the flaky fish with its crispy batter and the fried potato chips slathered in salt and vinegar.
“Oh, my God,” she said after swallowing yet another mouthful. “This is the best food I’ve ever had.”
“You’ve never eaten fish and chips before?” Jessica asked.
“No. Not unless you count canned tuna,” Rogue said, scooping up another chip.
“Me neither,” Seth said, wolfing down a second helping. For once, he abandoned all semblance of dignity and ate until oil covered his hands and chin.
Bear was no slouch either, packing away enough for three grown men. Afterward, he rubbed his stomach and smiled. “I never thought I’d see the day when I had real fish and chips again. I thought those days were gone for good.”
“You had it before the Shift?” Rogue asked, curious.
Bear nodded. “Every Friday night. It was tradition.”
“Great tradition,” Rogue said, wondering if she could eat any more before her stomach exploded. Finally, she gave up. Swallowing a burp, she pushed her empty plate aside. “I’m done.”
“Me too,” Seth said with a groan.
“Thank you, Jessica. That was… I don’t know what to call that,” Rogue admitted.
“It was my pleasure,” Jessica said.
A waiter collected the remnants of their meal and tossed the remaining crumbs to the flock of seagulls waiting nearby. The birds screeched and fought for their share of the bounty, much to Rogue’s amusement.
“So,” Rogue said, placing her chin on her hand. “What’s on the itinerary for tomorrow?”
“Well, I thought I’d take you to the anthropology museum,” Jessica said.
“A museum?”
“Okay, maybe not. It was Imogen’s idea,” Jessica said with a shrug. “I’d much rather take you to Chinatown, Kitsilano Beach, and the planetarium. And Stanley Park.”
“That sounds pretty awesome,” Rogue said, drifting off into a daydream.
They sat there for another hour, enjoying the sunset with a couple of drinks in hand. The conversation was easy, flowing around the table w
ith each of them laughing in turn. It was a night Rogue would never forget. A single perfect moment encapsulated in a golden glow that never faded.
As they walked back to the car, Rogue leaned into Seth with a satisfied smile playing on her lips. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.
“And? Was it everything you thought it would be?” he asked.
“No, it wasn’t,” Rogue replied, looking up at him with shining eyes. “It was more. It was so much more than I could have hoped for.”
“I’m glad,” he said, smiling back.
“The only way this night could get any better is if I spent it wrapped in your arms,” Rogue said with a wink.
“Now that can be arranged,” Seth said, quickening his step. “Let’s move it, people. It’s getting late. Time’s a-wasting.”
Rogue chuckled, allowing him to hustle her into the back seat. She spent the drive home nestled against his side, soaking up his warmth, and admiring the city lights. They merged with the stars above, forming a tapestry of silver against the cobalt blue heavens.
Closing her eyes, she made a wish. She wished for more days like that spent in the company of friends and loved ones. Days that meant so much more because of the dark times that had gone before. With memories like these, I can face anything.
Chapter 14 - Seth
By the time they arrived at the boarding house, the effects of the day were obvious in the yawns and groans that did the rounds. Seth stretched out his arms and legs, ironing the kinks out of his muscles. Exhaustion lay heavy upon his shoulders, and he longed for a warm bed. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready to crash.”
“Uh-huh,” a bleary-eyed Rogue mumbled.
“You nailed it,” Jessica confirmed, easing the car into the parking area.
Seth coaxed Rogue out of the car, and they unloaded the trunk and locked the doors. Though the crime rate was low, they weren’t about to take any chances.
“Come on, sleepy-head,” Seth said, dragging Rogue up the steps.
Night had fallen, and the moon shone fat and full above their heads. Insects sang in the background, and a chill marked the air.
Primordial Earth: Book 7 (The Extinction Series - A Prehistoric, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci-Fi Thriller) Page 9