Stacy--Part Thirteen

Splog # 46

Thirteen

   Finally, the girl said, "Does your head feel alright?"

   "What do you mean?"

   "It doesn't hurt at all? You hit it so hard when you ran into that branch and then you wouldn't let me take a look at it to see if there was an injury."

   "There's nothing wrong with my head. It only hurt for a minute and I haven't even felt any pain since then. You always worry about me just because you're three years older. Well, I can take care of myself, so please stop trying to do it for me."

   Johnny took a step toward the girl as if to emphasize what he was saying. As he did, Stacy saw him start to sway as though he had suddenly been overwhelmed by dizziness. The girl jumped up crying, "Johnny," and ran to him, holding him up with her hands on his upper arms. They stood like that for a moment, then the boy stepped away from her support and wrapped his arms around himself. He seemed to be shivering.

   "Do you feel cold?" he asked the girl.

   "Johnny, it's just as warm as it's been all evening. What's happening to you?'

   "Nothing's happening to me," he said as he dropped his arms to his sides. "I had a chill for a moment, but it doesn't mean that something's happening to me."

   "Johnny, don't you think you should go back and go to bed? After a good rest, you might feel better in the morning."

   "But there's nothing wrong. How many times do I have to tell you that I'm just the same as I've always been? I'm hale and hearty and I don't need anyone trying to take care of me."

   "Johnny, listen to me. It's getting faster. You know it is."

   "What are you talking about? What's getting faster?"

   "Johnny, please stop playing games. Can't you feel it coming? Every time I hear my name. Whenever I see the people around me. I feel like I'm living in a mirror. Everything is a distorted reflection of reality. And it's all moving faster around me. Just to stand still is like running in a race. I always feel like I'm thirsty, even if I've just taken a drink. Everything around me is hurtling towards a tremendous crash and I feel like I have to get off or out before it does. But if I do I know I'll get lost..."

   The girl's voice trailed off and she stood with her head lowered. She had been speaking in a calm, almost flat, voice and her sentences had been disconnected, as though she were saying anything that came into her head. Johnny put his hand out to reassure her and, when he did, the red butterfly lifted from her and settled on his shoulder. The other butterfly remained where it was.

   They stayed as they were and Stacy wished that she could say something to make them feel better. They both looked so sad.

   Finally, Johnny said, "Lane."

   There was no response and Stacy was puzzled by the strange syllable.

   "Lane," Johnny repeated. Still nothing, so he put his hand under her chin and lifted her head so he could look into her face. There were tears in her eyes, but she blinked them back.

   "Lane, listen to your little brother. I realize that everything is somehow wrong. But there must be a way that we can set it right. What we'll do now is go back and rest up and then tomorrow we can head for the Fe-San and maybe..."

   He trailed off just as she had done. He didn't seem to know what to do either.

   "Why don't we go there now?"

   "In the dark?"

   "Why not? I don't mean make the descent. But why not stay there tonight? I don't want to go back where everyone...I mean, I don't want to see anyone tonight. Just you. I really feel better when we're alone together. Johnny?"

   "I guess there's no reason not to go over now. You won't mind spending the night out?"

   "Oh, no. It's warm enough and it's different here. Can't you feel it? The Ransom Ladies - I don't think I could have said what I did without them here."