Chapter one:
Marica
It's almost dark.
I'm leaning against the window, watching.
I heavy thud alerts me to the pressence of someone falling onto the porch.
I open the door, and see Cassie Sullivan, lying face down in a pool of her own blood.
I lift her, and turn around, running into the house, setting her down gently on the kitchen table.
I check her pulse, faint but still there, and manage to calm my heartbeat.
I pull out my cell, and use it to dial Evan.
We stole them back at the camp.
I hold the phone to my ear.
Evan had gone to the store with Ben and Sammy to get a Christmas tree.
I hold the phone between my ear and shoulder while I check Casse over.
She looks in bad shape, but her breathing is even, and there is no need for more than just the normal medical stuff at the store and in my first aid kit.
I give Evan a list of medical suplies he needs to bring back as fast as he can, and then I wash the blood off Cassie's face.
She's plaster pale, and I instinctively know she would not want Evan to see her like this.
So, when he returns, I'm waiting.
I take the stuff, go back to the kitchen and close and lock the door behind me.
I work quickly, searching Cassie for any bullet wounds, which would repuire extra care.
There are a few that could account with all the bleeding.
I patch her up, and stand back, admiring my handwork.
I open the front door, and clean up the blood.
When Ben and Sammy return, they find me setting up a cot downstairs for myself.
"Why are you doing that? That's where we need to put the tree." says Ben.
I glance over, and see Evan Walker's retreated into his room.
"Cassie's in the kitchen. She's shot up, and I don't want to leave her, and don't think it's a good idea for Evan to see her. She's kinda on the brink."
Ben nods, and shifts the tree into a different position.
I sit on the cot, crossing ky legs, and waiting for Ben to go ask Evan to help him out.
He does, eventually, and I get up and head into the kitchen to check on Cassie.
She's alive.
That's good.
I check her throat and pretty much everywhere else for a bomb device, or a tracker.
Nothing.
And then I reaize what must've happened.
I smack my forehead, and mutter some profanity.
Later that night, I'm sitting on the couch, watching Casse, who's on the cot.
Her eyelids flutter, and she groans.
I glance inccspicuously toward the stairs.
Evan's outside.
I know that.
But Sammy, and Megan are up there, and I don't want them to see her like this.
Barely contious, on the brink.
But that doesn't apply to her anymore.
She's awake.
Maybe after a few days, Evan could maybe be allowed to see her.
Just then the door bangs open and Evan leans in.
"Get Ben and tell him it's time for watch would you?" he asks.
"Um... okay?"
I pull out my phone, and call Ben.
"Hey Parish. Get down here, and take Walker's place, on the double."
He runs down the steps, and heads outside.
Evan moves deeper into the room.
"Thought I heard someone in pain in here. Everyone okay?"
"Yeah." I say.
Then, thinking better of it, I ask, "Hey Walker. Do me a favor will you?"
"Sure."
"Get me a glass of water."
He heads into the kitch, and returns with a glass.
Dang, he's oblivious.
I take it, and he walks up the stairs.
I prop Cassie up, and press the glass to her lips.
She looks at me, then murmrs my name.
"Marica."
"Cassiopeia." I say back, smiling slightly.
When she's finished the glass, I set it on the table.
"Try to get some sleep." I say.
She nodds, lying back against the pillows.
A few minutes later, her eyes close.