Page 50 of N8
The man scratched the growth on the side of his face. “Hmm. Looks like there’s a whole lot you’re going to have to learn.”
N8 nodded and swiped at the relieved tears. “And that’s only the beginning,” he commented.
“At least it’s the beginning,” K8 remarked, giving N8’s arm a hug. “It’s time to create a whole new beginning for all of us.”
26Celebr8
N8 tentatively openedthe door to her room and peeked inside. Cydney appeared to be asleep. Her face was turned toward the window where sunlight streamed over the floor and bedcovers.
Slowly, silently, he moved toward the bed, but she must have sensed his presence, and swiveled her head around to greet him with a warm smile. Her face was pale, and dark circles underlined her eyes, but she looked incredibly beautiful.
“I’d hoped it was you,” she whispered.
Leaning down, he kissed her. “How do you feel?” He eyed the white bandages wrapped around her head, then down at the IV drip going into her arm. A nurse had already taken out the other IV from the last blood transfusion she’d been given.
“Tired. How’s F8? How are the rest of the gang?” She weakly patted the edge of the mattress in silent invitation. N8 parked himself as requested and took her hand in his. It was warm.
“F8’s doing great. The bullet didn’t do any major damage, but her arm will have to be kept in a sling for at least four to six weeks.” He checked the bandages again. “What have the doctors told you?”
“Dr. Beems told me I might get to go home this weekend, but I’ll have to take it easy.” She raised a hand to her forehead. “He explained what happened to me, but I don’t remember getting shot. He also told me they had to shave most of my hair away, but it should grow back…except for where the scar is.”
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’d love you even if you were bald.”
She cast him a worried look. “Tell me what’s happening. Nobody will tell me what’s going on.”
N8 beamed at her. “Well, to say the shit’s about to hit the fan is probably putting everything mildly. I don’t have enough time today, but I promise to fill you in with the latest the next time I visit. Suffice it to say, our worries are over. No more institution. No more guards hunting us down. And no more fucking tests. It’s time to celebrate,” he concluded gently.
“But what about jobs? What abo—”
“Shhh.” He placed a finger to her lips. “The people here in town are welcoming us with open arms. I met a Mr. Stagle this morning. He owns a brick and lumber yard. He’s one of several who are going to help us get the cabins renovated. P8’s already been hired by the county to work on road construction. G8’s filled out the paperwork to enroll in the police academy over in Yaegerton. He plans to join the sheriff’s department here once he graduates. The rest of us are filling out job applications to other places, and K8’s interviewing later this afternoon at the newspaper office.” Leaning over her, he tenderly brushed her cheek with his fingertips. “The townspeople have already taken up a collection to help us with food and all until we start bringing in a paycheck.”
He saw tears of gratitude rise in her eyes. When she blinked, they started to slide across her temples and into her ears, when he wiped them away.
“What about Coxwell? What if he—”
“Coxwell’s dead,” he bluntly but softly told her.
“D-dead?”
A noise behind him interrupted their conversation. A nurse stood in the doorway. “Two more minutes. Then you’ll have to leave.”
Nodding, N8 thanked her, and turned back to Cydney. “About Coxwell, it’s kind of complicated. I’ll explain later this afternoon when I’m allowed to visit you again.” Bending down again, he kissed her. “Our worries are over, Cyd. We can live our lives the way we were meant to. Just you wait until we get back to the camp. People are donating furniture, and clothes, and all sort of things!”
She chuckled. “Sounds like Christmas!”
N8 gave her a blank stare. “What’s a Christmas?”
Gasping, Cydney looked at him in wide-eyed disbelief. “You’ve never celebrated Christmas?”
“Sir? Time to leave. It’s time for her medication,” the nurse at the door informed him.
Sliding off the bed, N8 leaned in one more time for a goodbye kiss. Cydney grabbed his t-shirt. “Real quick, before you go. If you’re filling out job applications, what are you using for a last name?”
He smiled at her lopsidedly. “Remember when you said the people in the complex referred to us as children? That’s what we’ve decided to call ourselves. To take as our last name. Children. What do you think?”
“N8 Children. Guess that would make me Mrs. Cydney Children if we decide to get married?”
He paused for a second. The thought of marriage had never crossed his mind, but now that she’d mentioned it…
