by M. Lorrox
When they return to their room with the game, Rusty wanders out of the bedroom and stretches.
Eddy laughs and points him out to Minnie and June. “Rusty must have had a long night.”
June chuckles. “It’s no fair he can sleep all day, and I can’t.”
Rusty walks over to her and paws at her leg.
“Oh, I’m not mad at you, you fluffy beast.”
He flops onto his back exposing his stomach, and she pets it. Eddy grabs the game and starts setting it up.
Sadie arrives back from dinner just as they’ve got the board set up and are about to play, and she joins in. Charlie arrives later, when the game is ending with Eddy emerging as the victor, and he challenges them all to another round, even though it’s approaching Minnie’s bedtime.
Skip returns when the second game is almost over, when a joint June-Minnie strategic alliance has Charlie on the run. Skip watches as the girls mop the board clear of all of Charlie’s pieces, then jump up and dance together when they are the only ones left in the game. Skip congratulates them, then gives his condolences to Charlie.
He looks at Skip with pain in his eyes. “It was a bloodbath. They absolutely slaughtered me.”
The others laugh, and then Eddy remembers what happened in Nashville. “Hey guys, have any of you seen the news?”
They all shake their heads. June takes Minnie’s hand and leads her into the Costanzas’ bedroom while Eddy tells them what happened.
Later, Charlie walks into the bedroom to relieve June, who sits with Minnie and Valentine in the chair by the window.
June notices him walking toward them. “Time for Minnie to go to bed?”
“Past time, but I’m here because Eddy said that you wanted to talk to Sadie and Skip.” He puts his hand on her shoulder. “Whatever it is, we love ya.”
She sighs and shrinks as she looks toward the door.
He pats her shoulder, then grabs Minnie and tosses her onto the bed. “Time for bed, you little squirrel.”
“I am NOT a squirrel!”
June walks into the living room, closes the door on the laughter and ruckus behind her, and sits next to Eddy. Then, she starts shaking.
“June, dear, calm down.” Skip reaches over and holds onto her knee.
“I can’t, I don’t know why I’m so emotional, I feel crazy.”
“You’re not crazy.” Sadie gets up. “I’ll make us some tea. Why don’t you just start talking, like you’re telling us a story, and we’ll take it from there?”
June nods, then she tells them what’s happened so far. She finishes with the conversation she had earlier with Candace, then she closes her eyes. “I just don’t know what to do.”
Skip rubs both hands against his face. Then, he cups his fingers around his nose and mouth with his thumbs under his chin.
Everyone is silent for a minute, until Sadie stands. “I think we need more tea.”
A half hour later, Sadie empties her second cup of tea and swallows. “Well, we can wish all day what had been done differently, but that won’t change anything. As it stands, it seems the little blood they salvaged from the slide has made a big impact, and I suppose that we should be thankful.”
Skip sets his cup down with a bit of a bang. “Thankful? They want June’s blood. Not mine or anyone else’s, but hers. What if they...you know—” He mouths: THE SUNLIGHT THING. “You and Charlie said it before—what if they’re not too friendly? I mean, why should we trust these people? And with the zombies, people are desperate for a solution.” He groans then looks at his daughter. “I just don’t want to think about people coming after you.”
She nods, feeding the beads of the necklace her grandfather gave her through her fingers, one by one. “Candace wanted me to donate more blood. What should I do?”
Skip looks at Sadie.
She meets his gaze, but his stare is a bit too aggressive for her, too accusatory. She looks away. Is he angry we turned her? That can’t be. He’s just nervous, I think. She meets his stare and forces a slight smile. “The choices are actually simple; it’s choosing one over the other that is the hard part.” She faces June. “You could give more blood, and that may allow them to improve the vaccine. But it might not. And another thing it could do is put you in danger. It’s a risk.
“On the other hand, if you don’t donate more blood, there is a chance someone will try and do something crazy, and—”
Skip jolts forward and jumps down her throat. “It won’t seem crazy to them Sadie. To them, the ends will justify the means.”
She holds up her hand. “Someone could try and use violence, but I really don’t think they would when it’s so uncertain that the blood would even make a difference. From what I understand, they’re already synthesizing a lot of this temporary vaccine, and it’s a huge step forward. They might not really need any more blood... They might just want it.”
Skip sighs. “But what if you’re wrong?”
“I’m just presenting what I believe to be the two most likely situations. They both have risks, and...” She pats June on the knee. “I hate to say this, but it’s relevant. Whether you donate the blood willingly, or they take some by force, in both scenarios, they could learn more about that other thing.” She looks at Skip with intensity. “And if that happened, it would be much, much worse. You can trust me on that.”
Skip rubs his face. “So, let’s let the cards fall.”
Sadie nods. “I think so, yes.”
June looks at Eddy. He shrugs. She turns to her dad. “Meaning...?”
He swallows. “Meaning you don’t give them another sample, and you hope they don’t try and take one.” He shakes his head. “God I hope, we all hope, I’m sure.”
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
“I know you’re having a hard time. I understand what happened, June. I don’t blame you; no matter what happens.”
Sadie pulls her hands back and smacks them against her thighs as she stands. “Well, I have to get up very early to see Charlie off; he’s going on a mission.”
Skip stands as well. “Is it dangerous? When will he be back?”
Sadie pours a glass of water. “If it wasn’t dangerous, they wouldn’t be sending him and the other knights along, but Charlie can take care of himself.” She smiles. “He should be back sometime Saturday. I can’t really say much else.” She walks over to the bedroom door and taps quietly.
Charlie answers, “Yes?”
“Skip wants to talk to you.” She turns and winks at Skip then waves to June. “Good night, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Good night, Sadie.”
Charlie walks out and Skip extends his hand. “Good luck, Charlie.”
He takes the hand in a shake, and they both extend their other arms around to execute a manly hug. “Thanks, buddy. I can tell you more about it after it’s over. Take care of yourself tomorrow.”
Skip smiles. “Oh, tomorrow! The field trip; did you talk to Sadie yet?”
“Plan on going; I’ll talk to her right now.”
Skip nods. “Alright. See you Saturday, bud.”
Charlie turns to June. “Good night, June. I’ll see you Saturday.”
“Good luck.”
“Eddy, we need to talk before I go; come to bed sooner than later.”
“Okay, Dad.”
Charlie walks into the bedroom and shuts the door. Pretty much on cue, Rusty jumps up and trots over to the door leading to the hall and starts to scratch at it.
Eddy stands up. “Really, Rusty? As soon as he goes to bed?”
-Bark!-
“Shhh. Fine.” He picks up Rusty’s leash and collar and glances at June. “Want to come down while I let him out?”
She looks at Skip. “Is that alright?”
He nods. “Don’t be long.”
She jumps up and slips on a pair of shoes, and the two of them walk out with Rusty.
They leave through the front doors, then walk to the side of the hotel where Eddy bends down to take
the collar off Rusty. “Now you listen, bud, Dad’s going to be away tomorrow, so we can’t have you being all useless like you were today. Get me?”
-BARK!-
“Alright. And be nice to the bellman.”
Rusty sneezes and trots toward the back of the hotel.
Eddy turns to walk inside, but June motions to Rusty. “I don’t get why you’re okay with just letting him run around by himself. I bet they have pounds and things, and what about the traffic?”
He waves her concern away. “He’s probably the last thing to worry about.” He reaches out and takes her hand. “I’ve been thinking… You and I have, uh, never kissed.”
She laughs. “You had to think about that?”
He shakes his head and furrows his brow. “No, I mean... What?”
She takes a step toward him. A little streak of light shines on her face from a street-lamp nearby. “Would you like to kiss me, Eddy?”
He smiles and places a hand along her lower back. “Yes, I would.” He leans in and closes his eyes.
She licks her lips and adopts a sultry and breathy tone. “Well, maybe I’ll let you when there’s a bit more romance and a lot less traffic noise.”
He opens his eyes. “Huh?”
She takes a step back and pats him on the front of his chest. “Besides, I didn’t say yes. Consent is as easy as tea, Eddy—a girl’s got to say yes.” She smiles and walks toward the front doors of the hotel.
What does tea have to do with...anything? “Hey, wait up!” He jogs up next to her. She extends her hand out for him to take, and he does.
Back in the room, Eddy and June say good night, and Eddy returns to the room he shares with his mom, dad, and sister. Charlie and Sadie are waiting up for him.
“Dad, you said you wanted to talk?”
“Yeah. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to give you over to Captain Sarkis while I’m gone, because you’re not technically a Squire of the Order, but I had another idea.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re going to serve your mother.”
She smiles.
Uuuugggggghhhhhhh. “Okay, no problem.”
“Good answer.”
Early Friday morning, Charlie wakes up and gets dressed. He puts on his royal-blue Council Guard formal uniform, even though he knows he’ll be given an Army Combat Uniform before getting on the C-130. He slides on a shoulder belt, threads it through a loop on his jacket’s shoulder, and attaches it to his waist. He picks up Patton’s sword and starts to attach it, but then he pauses and puts it back down. He closes his eyes and frowns, then walks through the living room over to Skip and June’s bedroom. He taps on the door and listens. He’s pleased to not hear any noise from inside the room.
He slowly opens the door, and he keeps his eyes on the ground just in case June isn’t dressed. He walks over to the corner by the window, to where he stored his swords and staff, and almost jumps when he sees June sitting in the chair. Is she awake? Her eyes are open. He whispers, “June?”
She just stares out the window. He slowly extends his hand to touch her shoulder. The instant he touches her, she snaps. In a flash, her hand clamps down on his, and she snarls and bares her teeth at him.
Charlie tries to yank his hand back, but her grip is stronger than he expected, and she still holds him. She growls like an animal at him and squeezes his hand even harder.
He shakes her. “June, wake up.”
She blinks and tilts her head. She lets go. “Charlie?”
He takes his hand back. “Are you alright? Were you sleeping?”
She looks away. “I don’t know. Maybe. I was trying to meditate; just staring out the window and allowing my mind to let go of things.”
Charlie clears his throat. “I thought you were going to bite me.”
She looks at him in shock. “What are you talking about?”
“Just now, you don’t remember?”
She shakes her head and then sulks.
Charlie places his hand back on her shoulder. “You probably need some blood. I can talk to you later, don’t worry too much about it today, alright?”
“Okay. But, what are you doing in here?”
“Oh, right.” He turns to the corner where his weapons rest. “I needed my sword.” He lifts off the blanket that covers both samurai swords and the monk’s spade, and he picks up Ketsueki Seishin—the Muramasa katana—then turns back to June. “Sorry to disturb you.”
She recoils into the chair. “Get it away!”
Charlie lowers the blade and puts it to his side. “What’s wrong?”
“When you touched it, it... I... I dunno.” She shakes her head back and forth and keeps her eyes locked on the sword.
Charlie sighs. “I know. Don’t ever touch it, okay?”
“I don’t want to be anywhere near it.” She draws her legs up to her chest and hugs them.
He nods and points with his free hand to the shorter sword, the wakizashi. “That sword is much more friendly. It’s called Ukigumo, which means Floating Cloud. If you ever need a sword to protect you, that one will do nicely… You’ll get through this, June, we’re all here for you. I’m going to put my sword away in the other room, and I want you to come out and get some blood, alright?”
She shakes her head. “Not until it’s away.”
He starts walking. “Count to twenty and come on out.”
Charlie returns to his family’s bedroom and leans the sword against the door frame, then he meets June in the kitchen. He pours two glasses of blood, and he gives her one. They both drink.
“Feel any better?”
She nods. “Yeah, a little.”
He chugs the rest of his glass and sets it in the sink. “Listen, June, I’m going to ask Eddy to try and get a large amount of blood for you to take a hot bath with. It’s one way to make you feel great and sleepy. If he can pull that off, will you try it?”
She stares at him for a moment. “That sounds super gross.”
“It takes some getting used to, but I promise you’ll feel like a new person after. You’ll try it?”
She nods and holds up her glass. “I drink the stuff. I guess it can’t be much grosser than that.”
He chuckles. “Good, I’ll tell him. I have to go. Why don’t you go back to your room.” He steps over to her and gives her a giant hug.
“I’m scared, Charlie.”
He kisses her on the head. “We’re all here with you, and we all love you.”
A few tears roll down her cheek, and she lets go of the hug. She wipes her face with her hand. “Good luck on your mission.”
“Thanks, but I don’t need it.” He winks. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She smiles. “See you tomorrow.” Then she returns to her room.
Charlie watches her go, then he pours another glass of blood and chugs it. He pulls out a few bottles of to bring along in case they run out of supplies on the mission, and he sets them on the counter. Then, he puts his boots on.
When he’s all dressed and has his gear ready, he walks into his bedroom and picks up the sword. You damned thing. I might have some death for you today. He carries it out to the kitchen and sets it on his bag, then he wakes up Eddy and Sadie to say his goodbyes.
Sadie walks with Charlie out of the room and down the hall to the elevator. Once they’re inside, Charlie turns to her. “June scared the shit out of me earlier. There’s something different, something dangerous happening.”
“What do you mean?”
He rubs his forehead. “She was totally zoned out, and I couldn’t get her attention, so I touched her shoulder.” He shakes his head in disbelief. “I thought she was going to break my hand and bite me.”
Sadie scrunches her brow. “What? That doesn’t sound good.”
He leans over. “What if she bites Skip, and something is in her saliva?”
Sadie’s eyes flash wide. “Oh my god. I never even thought of that…”
“Neither had I until about ten minu
tes ago.”
The elevator doors open to the lobby’s level and they step out. “What should we do, Charlie?”
He waves to Tiger who stands in the lobby, looking his way. “Warn Skip, and we’ll find a way to test it. Maybe one of my officers can help.” He stops walking and turns to her. “Don’t alarm June though, she’s got enough on her plate.”
Sadie sighs. “I know. Poor girl.”
Charlie gives her a hug and whispers in her ear, “I love you, Sarra, I will see you tomorrow.”
She whispers back, “And I love you, Carles, and you better.”
“Life in the blood.”
“Death in the blood.”
They release each other from the hug and kiss with passion seldom seen at such an early morning hour. She returns to the elevator, and Charlie walks to the lobby. Tiger whistles. Charlie walks past him toward a shiny coffee urn sitting on a table against the wall. “Don’t even start.”
Sadie sips her coffee while checking over her day’s schedule when Skip walks out into the living room, stretching and yawning. “Good morning, Sadie.”
She looks up from her phone and smiles. “Good morning. How’s June?”
He shrugs. “Seems out of it. If I didn’t know better I’d say she hasn’t had her coffee yet, but that’s my issue, not hers.” He walks over to the small coffee maker and starts another pot. Over his shoulder, he hears Sadie sigh. “Another busy day of meetings?”
“Yes. I have some at the Pentagon this morning, and there’s something planned for the afternoon, but details are hazy.”
Skip sits down at the table beside her and rubs his eyes. Then he jolts up. “So, did Charlie and you talk about the field trip today?”
She sets down her phone. “Yes. All the kids are going, right?”
Skip nods. “Last count I heard was about two dozen kids and another ten or so chaperones.”
“It’s a little concerning to me because I don’t know the organizer.” She smiles at Skip. “But you seem to think Katlyn is something special. Am I right?”