High Voltage Part two
Lynn ran. She just wanted to leave. Away from her family, away from Lori. Not because Lynn was fed up with them, but because Lynn had hurt Lori extremely. She looked back. Luna was nowhere to be seen. She looked around. She had run three kilometers and now she was in the industrial area. The river, the forest, and the nuclear power plant were very close now. She went to the river. She sat down on the bank. Through the trees she saw the nuclear power plant and the voice in her head spoke again.
"You and this radioactive stuff have something in common. No one wants you around, and you endanger everyone around you."
"You're right." said Lynn.
Lynn looked at the river. She looked at it, and focused on the waves. Something touched her back. Lynn was startled. It was a black cat. The cat meowed at Lynn.
"Hi." said Lynn.
Lynn petted the cat. She started to purr.
"At least you want to be with me."
Lynn picked up the cat and held it like she used to hold Lily. The cat looked her in the eyes, and blinked slowly. The cat purred very loudly. Lynn stroked her and the cat fell asleep. Then Lynn just sat there with the sleeping cat in her arms for four hours. The cat woke up. She turned and Lynn put her on the floor. The cat looked at Lynn and disappeared into a bush. Lynn got up. It was starting to get dark. But Lynn didn't want to go home. She knew that she could sleep on a waiting bench at the train station. She walked towards the main station. When she was halfway there, Lynn saw that there was a van on the road. Lynn ducked into a bush. She recognized the van. It was vanzilla. Her mother was inside with Luna and Leni. As the three drove by, Lynn kept walking. Lynn arrives at the train station. At platform four she sat down on a bench.
"Look where you are. You're lying on a bench in a train station like a homeless woman. Your life isn't worth it anymore." said the voice.
"What should I do?" said Lynn desperately.
A tear ran down Lynn's cheek. A modern railcar drove in. Lynn saw a spark on the high-voltage line. Lynn saw a sign. It was yellow with a black lightning bolt on it. A skull was depicted next to the lightning bolt. It read in red letters: "Electric shock kills! Do not touch the Powerlines! Danger to life!" In Lynn's head the voice spoke again.
"End it. No one will mourn you after you do this to Lori."
"I think that's wrong." said Lynn.
"Are you sure? You hurt Lori. Mentally and physically. You kicked her stomach. What if her injury is so bad that she can't have children anymore?"
Lynn paled.
"What did I do? Why did I do that?"
"Because you are a deeply bad person."
More and more voices began to speak.
"Kill yourself!"
"End it all!"
"No one will miss you!"
Lynn got up. She went to the articulated railcar. She went to the joint and climbed up. She was on the roof now. A copper wire the width of a thumb hung a meter in front of her. She stared at it.
"Grab the line! End your life!"
"Nobody loves you!"
"You are worthless!"
"Kill yourself! Do your family this favor! Nobody will miss you!"
Lynn raised her right hand, everything seemed to be in slow motion. Her hand kept getting closer to the line. A blue arc shot out of the line. Lynn was blinded by the arc. It made its way through ionized air and slammed into Lynn's hand. Lynn felt the current flow through her arm, and its way to her foot, towards the earth. Lynn thought her arm, her leg, and the right side of her torso would burn. Her muscles contracted. The arc broke off. Lynn felt herself tip over backwards and fall. She fell deep, very deep. She saw the ceiling of the station receding and turning black, dark black. The last thing Lynn saw was the face of a mustachioed man, looking at her with concern. Then Lynn saw only black, dark, deep black.
Lori woke up. She raised her face from the bed Lynn was lying on. Lori thought this was just a bad dream. But when she saw Lynn, Lori knew this was the sad reality. A nurse came in and changed the IV. The nurse left the room again. Lori looked at her new phone. 11:57 a.m. Lori had slept late. Another nurse came in with a tray that had lunch on it.
"Lynn can't eat that." said Lori.
"It's not for your sister, it's for you." said the nurse.
"Thanks."
The nurse gave Lori the tray with the food and left the room. Lori looked at the food. Salmon with rice. It wasn't Lori's favorite food, but she was so hungry that she ate the salmon anyway.
"Lynn, wouldn't you rather have Dad's lunch?" asked Lori.
Even though Lynn didn't answer, Lori spoke to her. She didn't want Lynn to feel lonely. When Lori finished eating, she took a brush out of her purse. She took Lynn's hair and brushed it carefully. There was an ointment on the bedside table. The doctor said the night before that Lori should anoint the burn scars. Lori took the ointment and started anointing her arm.
"The ointment will help heal, but you'll have that lightning pattern forever, Lynn."
Lori began anointing the lightning bolt pattern onto Lynn's torso. Lori saw exactly where the current flowed through. Even just looking at that trace of burned skin made Lori hurt. Why did her little sister do that? Now Lori anointed Lynn's leg. These patterns, beautiful and terrible at the same time. The bottom of Lynn's foot was burned. There the current entered the earth. There also burned her skin. It was white and peeled off. Beneath the dead skin was the new layer of skin that was beginning to develop. When Lori was done, she tucked Lynn in. Lori tucked Lynn in and made sure Lynn was as comfortable as possible. Lori sat back down in that chair. She looked back at Lynn. Then there was a knock at the door.
"You can come in!" said Lori.
Lynn senior, Rita, Leni, Luna, Luan, Lucy, Lana, Lola, Lisa and Lily entered the room. Rita held Lily. Lana ran to Lynn. She climbed onto the bed. Lori saw that Lana had been crying.
"Lynn? Are you awake?" asked Lana.
Lana saw the lightning pattern on Lynn's arm. She got a little startled. The rest of the family came to Lynn's bedside. Lana turned to Lori and her family. Tears ran down her cheeks.
"What happened to Lynn?" asked Lana.
"You know, the tram has a power line at the top. She had touched the power line." said Rita.
"She was electrocuted with 1500 volts. 100 volts would actually be lethal. But she will survive." said Luna.
Lana snuggled up to Lynn's side. Leni sat down on the edge of the bed. She slowly stroked Lana's back. Lana sobbed softly. Lola climbed to the other side of the bed. Lola sat down next to Lynn. Luan, clinging to Luna. She started crying very loudly. The older sisters recalled the moment Lincoln lay in the hospital, shortly after Lincoln's diagnosis. Lily pointed to Lynn. Rita understood that Lily wanted to see Lynn. Rita went to Lynn's bed.
"Lola, could you make some room for Lily?" asked Rita.
Lola said nothing but walked to the end of the bed. Rita laid Lily on the bed and Lily crawled over to Lynn.
"Lynn?" said Lily.
Lily shook Lynn's body slightly.
"Lily, please pay attention. Lynn has an ouch." said Lori.
"Ouch?" said Lily.
"Yes. A very bad ouch." said Lori.
Lily crawled under the covers and snuggled up to Lynn. Lynn senior now stepped forward to Lynn. He looked at Lynn's arm. He shook his head. Lynn senior knew that electrocution was dangerous. When installing a lamp in Lincoln's room, he forgot to turn off the circuit breaker. That's why the Louds' house had more fuses and earth leakage circuit breakers than other houses. Lynn senior wasn't afraid of electricity, but he had great respect for it. Lola started talking.
"Lynn. I miss you. Please come back. I'll never make you attend a tea party again."
"I will spare you on April first." said Luan.
"I won't scare you anymore." said Lucy.
"I won't bore you with science anymore." said Lisa.
Hours passed. The Louds spent these hours at Lynn's side. When evening came, the Louds left. Lori stayed. The nurse showed her how to properly care for Lynn and told Lori to hire her right away. Lori just sat there most of the time. She was talking to Lynn. Talking to patients is supposed to help them. But at around 8:00 p.m. the knock came again. The door opened and Bobby and Ronnie Anne entered the room.
"Hi." said Lori.
Bobby silently waved.
"Hello. How is Lynn." asked Ronnie Anne.
"Not great, not terrible." said Lori.
Ronnie Anne goes to Lynn. She looked at the burn scars.
"What did she do?" asked Ronnie Anne.
"Climbed onto an RWR train and touched the Powerline. Luna told me 1500 volts shot through Lynn's body. And now she'll have those lightning scars for the rest of her life."
"Oh Lynn, why?" said Ronnie Anne.
Suddenly something moved under the covers. Lori lifted the covers to see Lily yawning. She looked at Lori with her emotionless gaze. Then she opened her mouth and made a gesture that said, "I'm hungry." Lori picked Lily up.
"They forgot Lily. Bobby, please call my mother. She doesn't have to fetch her, I can look after Lily. I'll see if I can get diapers and food somewhere." Lori said and left the room with Lily.
Bobby picked up his cell phone and dialed a number.
"Hello Miss Loud, it looks like you left Lily at the hospital." said bobby.
"Damn! How could this happen to me? I'll be right there."
"Lori said she could babysit Lily. You don't have to come over."
"Lori's right. She can take care of Lily. Bye Bobby."
Bobby hung up. Lori walked with Lily through the almost endless corridors of the hospital. She knocked on the doctor's room. A doctor came out. But this doctor seemed familiar to her. It was Doctor House.
"Doctor House? What are you doing here?" Lori asked confused.
"Well, I'm a doctor, so the logical conclusion is that I help patients. And I know you. You're one of the Louds, Lincoln's sister. And the baby is the youngest sister." said Doctor House.
"Exactly. And for the baby, her name is Lily, I need fresh diapers and something to eat."
"There should still be things like that somewhere. Come with me."
They walked back towards Lynn's room. Doctor house went to a closet and took out a pack of diapers and some food. A kind of oatmeal. He closed the cupboard again.
"I'll carry these things to your room."
"Thanks very much." said Lori.
"Why are you here?"
"One of my sisters was electrocuted."
"How high was the voltage?"
"1500 volts DC."
"And she survived? You Louds are incredible."
"What do you mean?" Lori asked in surprise.
"Lincoln was an interesting patient. He had, how do you say it? He had very special values. He had even made me think about what really matters in life. He had taken care of you, his sisters. He had bigger concerns cared for his family more than himself. I've never had a patient like him."
"He really was something special."
The two entered Lynn's room. Doctor house gave Bobby the diapers and oatmeal and left. Two nights passed, but Lynn did not wake up. Lori always stayed close to her. Three days after Lynn was electrocuted, she woke up. Lynn opened her eyes. She saw a sleeping Lori to her right. Then Lynn noticed something moving. It was Lily. Lily crawled to Lynn's face.
"Hello Lily." said Lynn.
"Lynn." said Lily and smiled.
Lynn wanted to raise her right arm, but then she felt excruciating pain. Her whole arm, no, her whole right side of the body was in burning pain. She looked at her arm, and was so startled that she cried out loud.
"What happened to my arm!" Lynn said, looking down at the bandage she wore on her right hand.
Lori woke up. She looked at Lynn.
"You're finally awake." said Lori.
"Lori!"
Lynn looked at Lori. They looked at each other for two minutes. Then Lynn cried.
"What have I done?" Lynn cried.
"Lynn. Calm down." Lori said, putting her hand on Lynn's right shoulder.
"I hurt you."
"Lynn!"
Lynn stopped crying and looked at Lori.
"You attacked me, yes. But I was so worried about you. Why did you climb on that train?" Lori asked, and started to cry too.
Lynn remembered everything. What she had done. What she said. What she was told.
"They told me I should do it." said Lynn.
"Who?"
"I don't know who. I hurt you badly. And then I saw this power line. And I heard things like, "Grab the line! End your life!" or "Kill yourself! Do your family this favor! Nobody wants to miss you!" And I climbed up," said Lynn.
Lori was shocked by what Lynn said. Was that her psychosis?
"Lynn, this is a serious problem. You almost died."
Lynn knew Lori was right, but she kept hearing those voices. Lynn looked at her arm.
"What happened to my arm?"
Lori takes a deep breath.
"Lynn, 1500 volts went through you. The skin on your hand and foot is burned. You needed a skin transplant. And this lightning pattern, that's where the current flowed through. You'll keep this pattern forever."
Lynn looked at Lori. Lynn sat up. She turned and stood up. She approached Lori with a slight stoop. Then Lynn hugged Lori. Lori felt Lynn's tears soak her shirt.
"I'm sorry Lori. I'm sorry."
"It's all good. Don't worry, I'm here for you." Lori said in a soothing voice.
The two hugged for minutes. Then they realized that Lily wanted to go home. The doctor said Lynn could go home but her burns still needed to be rubbed with ointment. Rita picked up the three with Vanzilla.
"Lynn! You are healthy." said Rita happily.
Rita went to hug Lynn, but Lynn backed away.
"Please don't. It hurts." Lynn said.
Rita apologized. The four went to the park to finally get some fresh air. In the park, Lynn noticed that she couldn't run as fast anymore. When Rita had to change Lily's diaper and Lori left to make a quick phone call, an uncomfortable experience began for Lynn. A few Boys pointed to their scars.
"Look, this is Scarleg." said one of the boys.
"She must have cut herself."
Lynn started to cry. When Lori came back, she told it.
"That's mean. But Lynn, you can wear long clothes and nobody will see those scars." said Lori.
"Lori, it's not just that. I can't run fast. I can't do sports anymore."
Lori hugged Lynn. Everything had just collapsed for Lynn. Rita and Lily came to the two.
"Everything OK?" asked Rita.
"No, I get teased about the scars." said Lynn.
"Come on. Let's go home and put the long clothes on."
Lynn nodded. They went home. When they got home, the twins were run to Lynn.
"Lynn!" said Lola.
"How are you?" asked Lana.
"I'm fine... I don't know. I'm kinda tired." Lynn said.
Lynn went upstairs. Lori followed her. The two entered Lynn's room. Lori went to Lynn's closet.
"You have long clothes?" asked Lori.
"I might have something." said Lynn.
Lynn went to Lori and searched the closet. Then she pulled out a pair of jeans and a red sweater. Lori turned and Lynn changed quickly.
"What do you think?" Lynn asked.
Lori turned and looked at Lynn.
"That looks good. Really good."
"Thanks." said Lynn, and yawned.
"You need to recover. You may not be in the hospital anymore, but you are still badly injured." said Lori.
"All right, I'll sleep."
"You don't need to sleep, just rest. Come with me."
Lori went to Lynn's bed and shook the pillow. Lynn lay down.
"I'll check on you soon. See you soon." said Lori.
"Thanks." said Lynn.
"I liked doing that."
Lori left the room. She was tired but could not sleep. After an hour, Lori looked into the room. She had Lily in her arms. Lori came in.
"Lily wanted to see you." said Lori.
"Lynn." said Lily.
Lori laid Lily on Lynn's bed. Lily crawled over to Lynn and started hugging her. Lori left the room.
"I love you Lily." said Lynn.
Lynn looks at Lily. She had had moments like this with Lily many times before, but she often giggled. Now Lily's expression was empty, showing no trace of emotion. Lynn sat up. She took Lily and held her.
"A lot of people worry about me, but I worry about you."
Lily looked at her.
Lynn took her close. She held Lily very carefully and very tightly.
"I promise you something Lily. I will protect you forever. Because I love you." said Lynn.
"Love you." said Lily.
When Lynn heard those words, her feelings hurt more than her burns.
"Thanks." said Lynn softly.
She lay down with Lily. Lynn put Lily on her stomach. Lily made herself comfortable on top of Lynn. Lynn felt Lily's warmth on her stomach. She gently wrapped her right arm around Lily. Lynn and Lily fell asleep. And Lynn hadn't slept that well in months.
The day after. Everything was normal. It seems so at first. But in the afternoon someone rang the doorbell. Leni went to the door. It was Armin. He was holding a card. The card showed Royal Woods at sunset. You could see everything from the train station to the nuclear power plant.
"Hello... um. Mr. Engine Driver?" said Leni.
"Armin. My name is Armin."
"That's right. Train driver Armin."
"Exactly. I heard your sister is out of the hospital. I brought her a card."
"Lynn! Please come here!" exclaimed Leni.
Lynn came down and went to Armin.
"You look familiar to me." said Lynn.
"You climbed onto my train. Here. The card is for you." said Armin and gave Lynn the card.
"I don't understand."
"I was worried about you."
"Well, thank you."
"No problem. But please, don't climb on trains anymore."
Armin went. Lynn said nothing. Lynn was confused. She had done something forbidden that would have even killed her, and Armin wasn't mad at her. Lucy approached Lynn.
"Is everything ok?" asked Lucy.
"Yes everything alright."
Lynn went back to her room. Why was this man so nice to her? She must have frightened him greatly. The voice in her head spoke again.
"Apparently you are liked after all? That surprises me, because everyone knows that you are a bad person!"
"Shut the fuck up! I touched that power line because of you! It's not my fault, it's yours!" Lynn said angrily.
"You can say that as much as you want. I will always follow you. You are never alone. I am always there."
Now other voices began to speak.
"You're bad!"
"You have no reason to live!"
"Kill yourself!"
"You're just a waste of life!"
Lynn ran to her room. She hid under her bed hoping she wouldn't be able to hear the voices there. It did not help. The voices kept talking. Lynn went insane. She couldn't any longer. She cried. She screamed. Nothing helped. Nobody could do anything.
"You are worthless!"
"Do your family a favor and die!"
"Die!"
"Injure yourself!"
"Stop it!" screamed Lynn desperately.
"Cut your throat!"
"Hang yourself!"
"Cut your carotid artery!"
"Stop! Please leave me alone!" shouted Lynn.
She lay there. Under her bed without strength to defend herself. She didn't know how long she lay there. But at some point, she noticed a hand that pulled her out. It wasn't her mother, or one of her sisters. It was Malach. The voices fell silent. Lynn stopped crying. The two sat on the floor.
"Doctor Malach? What are you doing here?" Lynn asked.
"I'm here because of you. Your sister Luna called me. She probably found my business card. What's going on?" asked Malach.
"I... I... I don't know." said Lynn, and started to cry again.
"That's not bad. Describe what you see, hear, and feel. Is it the voices again?"
Lynn couldn't speak. She had to calm down first.
"I hear voices." said Lynn.
"Can you understand what they say?" Malach asked.
"Yes."
"What do the voices say?"
"Kill yourself!", "Cut your throat!", or "Do your family a favor and die!"
"Did that also happen at the train station?"
Lynn nodded. Then she spoke again.
"Doctor Malach. I accepted it."
"Accept what?"
"Lincoln. What happened to him. I don't see him anymore. I'm aware of what happened."
"That's a step in the right direction." said Malach softly.
Lynn looked at Doctor Malach. He looked like he was thinking.
"You didn't want any medication when you were in the psychiatric ward. Is that still the case?"
"I want it to stop. I can't take this any longer."
Malach took out a notepad. He wrote a drug prescription. Then he showed it to Lynn.
"This is a prescription for the drug Thorazine. I'll tell your mother to get it from the pharmacy. It will help you."
"Isn't that expensive? We can't afford it."
"The health insurance will take care of that. I'm sure it will help. You have to take the medication once in the morning and once in the evening."
"Does that mean I'll be better?"
"I've prescribed this drug a couple of times. It's worked very well. Shall we tell your mother?"
Lynn nodded. The two got up and went into the living room. Rita sat on the couch and waited. When they got downstairs, Rita got up. Doctor Malach spoke.
"So Mrs. Loud. I've prescribed Thorazine for your daughter. It should have some effect."
"Thanks, but does the health insurance cover that?" asked Rita.
"Lynn had the same concern, but I inquired two weeks ago and insurance will also cover the cost of the medication. You can still get it today."
Doctor Malach gave her the medicine prescription. Then he said goodbye. Rita looked at the prescription.
"Leni! Please come here!" called Rita.
Leni came down the stairs. Behind her was Lana.
"Leni, can you please take care of Lynn? I have to get something." said Rita.
"Of course." said Leni.
"Thanks."
Rita went to the front door. She took the keys from Vanzilla and left. Lana approached Lynn.
"What was wrong with you? Who was that man?"
"That was Doctor Malach. And I think he helped me." said Lynn.
An hour later Rita came back. She had a small bag with three boxes of medicine.
"Lynn! Please come here." called Rita.
Lynn came out of the kitchen. Rita took out a pill and gave it to Lynn.
"Take these with a sip of water." said Rita.
Lynn went into the kitchen and filled a glass with water. Then she put the pill in her mouth and swallowed it. She didn't feel any different. She went to her mother.
"It doesn't work." said Lynn.
"You'll have to wait. But Pop-pop and Myrtle will be right over."
"Why?"
"You will soon find out."
Five minutes later the doorbell rang. Lori opened. Pop-pop and Myrtle entered. Lori led her into the dining room. The rest of the Louds were already there. The three sat down. Then Lynn Senior spoke.
"Thank you Albert, thank you Myrtle. It's been a couple of weeks since Lincoln left us. But I'm worried about Lily."
"Why?" asked Albert.
Rita answered.
"Because Lily won't remember Lincoln."
"And we want to explain that to her at a later date." said Lynn Sr.
The sisters look at each other questioningly. Then Lola spoke.
"Why don't you tell her about Lincoln? That's wrong."
"Lola is right. That's just wrong. And immoral. She has a right to it." said Luna.
"I don't know if it's good for a little girl if she grows up knowing this. She should have fun and play outside. She shouldn't spend her childhood fearing death." said Rita.
Lori looked at her hands. Then she looked over at her mother.
"It's probably for Lily's best. Better we tell her about Lincoln later when she's old enough." Lori said softly.
"That also means that we will lock Lincoln's room until that time." said Lynn Sr.
"If it's for Lily's best, we should do it this way." said Luan.
Everyone nodded. Lynn senior stood up.
"It's good that we agree."
Lynn got up.
"I want to come with you." said Lynn.
"Everybody come with me." said Lynn Sr.
Everyone got up and went upstairs. Lynn senior took out the key. Lynn held him back.
"I want to go in one last time." Lynn said.
Lynn senior nodded silently. Lynn went inside. She looked around, wanting to remember everything. There was bun-bun on Lincoln's bed. Lynn took him and stroked him. Although Lynn wasn't the type of girl who liked stuffed animals, she thought Bun-Bun was cute. She placed it on Lincoln's pillow. It looked like Bun-bun was waiting for Lincoln. Lynn walked to the door, turned, waved at Bun-bun, and walked out. Lynn looked at her father. He took the door and closed it. Then he took the key and turned it. Nobody said anything. They stand there for minutes. Then Lisa said something.
"Like Chernobyl. The nuclear reactor was covered with a sarcophagus after the disaster to prevent anything getting out. This is to protect Lily. We won't open the sarcophagus until it's time."
Pop-pop stroked Lisa's head.
"I couldn't say it better."
Two days later. The Loud family was at the Railway Tavern. Loris and Carol's farewell. Friends and family were present. They celebrated this move by the two.
"I'm proud of you." said Lynn Sr.
"Thanks Dad." said Lori.
"Thank you very much Mr. Loud." Said Carol.
"Where's Bobby?" asked Lynn Sr.
"He called. He will come a little later." said Lori.
Suddenly Lori felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around. It was Peter, and was sober. Lori was happy.
"Peter." she said happily.
"Yes. I am. I'm proud of you too." said Peter.
"This is Peter?" asked Carol.
"Yes, that's Peter."
"Now I hear my name too often. Oh Lori, I have something here." Peter said, reaching into his jacket pocket.
Peter gave Lori a picture of a baby. At the bottom of the picture was written in beautiful handwriting: Sybille Hawk.
"This is my granddaughter." said Peter happily.
"Peter, I'm happy for you." said Lori.
"Lori, would you be okay with being her godmother? My daughter doesn't have many friends, and my friends are beer bottles, so would you be the best choice." said Peter.
"Of course. I would like to be her godmother." said Lori.
"Thank you," said Peter.
Peter went to Lynn senior.
"Your daughter is good. She has good talents, I promise you, she will go far." said Peter.
"I think so too. lori told me you were in the marines, what rank?" asked Lynn Sr.
"I was a gunnery sergeant in the Marines. And I'll tell you Lori and Carol will be captains. I'd bet on it."
"Great. If you'll excuse me, I have to do something."
Lynn senior goes to the stage where Luna, Sam and Chunk are standing. He went to the microphone.
"Excuse me, please listen. Thanks. Well, I remember coming home with you Lori. I guess I've rarely been this happy. And I see you growing up, it's beautiful." said Lynn senior, wiping a tear from his eye.
"When I was in the Army, there was a song. I don't know if it's going to be played as often in the Navy, but Lori, prepare yourself for mental torture. There have been fights over this song. And I've been not entirely innocent. Lori, you're in the army now." Said Lynn senior and left the stage.
Luna went to the microphone and started playing a slow tune on her guitar. Sam now started on the bass, and Chunk on the drums. Luna started singing.
«A vacation in a foreign land, Uncle Sam does the best he can
You're in the army now, oh-oo-oh you're in the army now
Now you remember what the draft man said,
Nothing to do all day but stay in bed
You're in the army now,
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army now»
Lori put her arm around Carol's shoulder.
«You'll be the hero of the neighbourhood,
Nobody knows that you've left for good
You're in the army now,
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army now»
Lynn Sr., Peter, and many more guests emerge with lighters and raise them in the air, glowing. People rocked back and forth slowly.
«Smiling faces as you wait to land,
But once you get there no-one gives a damn
You're in the army now,
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army now
Hand grenades flying over your head
Missiles flying over your head,
If you want to survive get out of bed
You're in the army now,
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army now
Shots ring out in the dead of night,
The sergeant calls»
The whole bar shouted.
"Stand up and fight!"
«You're in the army now,
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army now
You've got your orders better shoot on sight,
Your finger's on the trigger but it don't seem right
You're in the army now,
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army now
You're in the army now,
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army now»
Bobby enters the bar. Lori didn't see him, he sneaked backstage and hid.
«Night is falling and you just can't see, is this illusion or reality?
You're in the army now,
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army, in the army now
You're in the army now,
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army now
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army, in the army now
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army, in the army now
Oh-oo-oh you're in the army, in the army now»
The song was finished and there was applause. Luna gave Lori and Carol a hand signal. The two entered the stage. They went to the microphone.
"Wow, thanks." said Carol.
"I am speechless. Thank you all. It means a lot to me that you are here. Dad, Mom, Leni, Luna, Luan, Lynn, Lucy, ola, Lana, Lisa, Lily, Pop-pop, Myrtle, Clyde , Ronnie Anne, and Peter. You all supported me. I will always be grateful to you. It's a shame Bobby isn't here yet, but I'm sure he will be."
Bobby came out from behind the stage. He approached Lori.
"Are you sure about that?" said bobby.
Lori turned around.
"Bobby! You're here!" Lori said happily.
Lori hugged Bobby. Then she let him go.
"Lori, for a long time I thought about how this moment would be. In a meadow at a sunset, or on the beach. Yes, I think now is the best time."
Bobby took out a small box and got on his knees. He opened the box and inside was a small ring, with a slightly graphite colored diamond. Bobby looked at Lori. Lori was petrified. Her heart was pounding like never before.
"I know we're still young, but do you want to be my wife?" asked Bobby.
Lori looked at the ring, then at Bobby. She had tunnel vision. She only saw Bobby, not the rest. Then she said something very quietly.
"Yes."
Bobby took the ring out and put it on Lori's right hand. Bobby got up and looked Lori in the eye. Tears ran down Lori's cheeks and her lips trembled. She didn't cry, she was happy like never before in her life. Then they stood there for twenty seconds. Then someone shouted something from the crowd. It was Peter.
"What are you waiting for Bobby? Kiss her!"
Bobby kissed Lori. The two stepped off the stage hand in hand. Lynn senior approached them both. He had a grin like Lori had never seen before.
"I'm proud of you both." said Lynn Sr.
The rest of the family, Ronnie Anne, Clyde and Peter joined them. Peter was holding four bottles of beer. He gave one to Lynn senior, one to Bobby, and one to Lori. Then he lifted the bottle.
"To both of you and to life. Cheers!" Peter said loudly and the four started drinking.
"Show us the ring." said Lola.
Lori raised her hand to Lola. Lola was fascinated by the ring.
"Not even I have such a beautiful ring." said Lola.
"I made the diamond." said Lisa.
"Really? He's beautiful." said Lori.
"I didn't know anything about that. Show me." said Rita.
Rita looked at the ring.
"The ring is just as beautiful as the one your father gave me."
"If I have to define the word happy, then I'll say that this moment was one of the best."
"I didn't make the diamond well though. It's graphite in color." said Lisa.
"It doesn't matter, he's beautiful." said Lori.
The family partied until 1:00 in the morning. Then they went home. Lori really enjoyed her last night at home. The next day it was time. She had to go to New York now. The Louds and Bobby were standing on Platform 2. That's where the express train to New York City was. At the end of the train was a passenger car with a luggage compartment. Lynn Sr. lugged Lori's suitcases into the luggage compartment. Then both got out again. Lori started to say goodbye. She went to Leni.
"Leni. It will be difficult for me that you don't sleep in the same room as me."
"I will miss you." said Leni.
Lori hugged Leni. Lori went to Luna.
"Luna, some say that the cannon roar of the ships will sound like music over time, but I will only be able to enjoy your music."
"You will rock the seven seas." said Luna.
"I'll miss you."
Lori hugged Luna and went to Luan.
"Commander Hartmann is said to be pretty humorless. I'll miss your jokes."
Luan had never heard anything like it. She hugged Lori tightly. Then lori went to Lynn.
"Lynn, take care. I want you to be fine when I come back."
"I will promise you." said Lynn.
Lori hugged Lynn and went to Lucy.
"Don't hide in the air vents for too long. And write some poetry."
"I will." said Lucy.
Lori put her hand on Lucy's shoulder. Lucy smiled at lori. Lori went to the twins.
"Lola, I will miss you. Win all the beauty pageants."
"I give my best." said Lola.
"Lana, I will ask the engineer on the ship for information about the drive."
"Thank you. I'll wait here for you." said Lana.
Lori hugged the two. Then she went to Lisa.
"Lisa, please don't blow up the house."
"I disposed of all chemicals two days ago." said Lisa.
"Why?"
"It turns out that stuff is highly toxic. And Lily is in my room and I have to protect her."
"You took charge. Well done Lisa."
Lori also hugged Lisa. Then she went to her mother who was holding Lily. Lily slept peacefully.
"I will miss you." said Rita, trying not to cry.
"I know. But I have to go my own way now." said Lori.
Carol appeared on the platform and joined them.
"Wait, did you think I wasn't coming?" said Carol.
"Carol. Thanks for coming." said Lori.
"I'm going to say goodbye to my best friend."
Carol and lori hugged. Lori turned back to her mother.
"Lori, I wish you all the best." said Rita.
"Thanks. See you Lily."
Lori stroked Lily's cheek. Lori was about to went to her father, when a conductor came up to them.
"I saw that you are saying goodbye here. I will delay the departure for about two minutes, but hurry up."
The conductor went to the baggage car. Lori turned to her father.
"Dad. Thank you. You gave me a good childhood."
"You deserve it too. I have something for you here." said Lynn senior.
Her father took out a small picture frame. It was the photo Lincoln had given her parents for their wedding anniversary. Lynn senior gave it to Lori. Lori looked at her father. He nodded slightly. Lori hugged her father tightly.
"I love you dad." said Lori.
"I love you too."
Lori went to Bobby. She looked at him. Then she put her arms around him, and kissed him.
"I look forward to the moment when I'm with you again." said Lori.
"I also."
"I love you Bobby."
"I love you too."
The conductor went to the two.
"I have to dispatch the train now. Please get on."
Lori went to the door of the train car. She looked at her family and got in. She sat down in her seat and looked out the window. Her family waved to her. Lori waved back. The conductor whistled. The door closed. He came to Lori and opened the window.
"Do you want to say goodbye to your family?" said the conductor.
Lori stood up. She looked out the window. The train moved. The Louds, Bobby and Carol started to run with the train.
"I love you." said Lori.
"We love you too." said Leni.
"Come back soon." said Lola.
"Your father and I are proud of you." said Rita.
"Be the best recruit." said Lynn.
The train kept getting faster. Then he left Royal Woods station and the Louds stopped at the end of the platform. The train went around a curve, and then Lori couldn't see her family anymore. She sat down. The conductor closed the window.
"I wish you a pleasant journey." said the conductor.
"Thanks." said Lori.
The conductor went into the next car. Lori knew, her adventure was just beginning.
It was quiet in Lily's quarters now. Lori was done. Now she had told Lily the story. Lori got up, and looked through the window at the nocturnal atlantic.
"So, time to sleep." said Lori.
"Well, I agree." said Lily.
"Goodnight Lily."
"Goodnight."
Lori left Lily's quarters. Lily sat down at her desk. She picked up her phone and dialed a number.
"Sam Sharp. Who am I talking to?"
"Commander Lily Loud of the USS Enterprise."
"Lily. I haven't heard from you in a long time. How are you?"
"Well, as always. I think you heard about our battle."
"Yes. From what I've heard from Luna, you didn't even need the Enterprise's full potential."
"Luna was probably watching the news again."
"Every time she hears something about the Enterprise, she shows it to Mia. She's proud of Aunt Lily and Aunt Lori."
"Plausible. How is Mia?"
"She's fine. By the way, she made a drawing for you and Lori. You'll like it."
"What did she draw?"
"The Enterprise. The Enterprise with you and Lori."
"Well, knowing Mia, the drawing will be very, authentic."
"The drawing is very authentic. Wait Lily. It's Aunt Lily... Mia wants to speak to you."
A six year old girl's voice rang out.
"Hello Aunt Lily. How is the ship?"
"The ship is fully operational and the crew is complete."
"So the ship is fine?"
"Yes. The ship is fine."
"What are you doing?"
"Right now, on the phone with you."
"Ok. Mom wants you back. Bye."
"Bye Mia."
Lily expected Sam's voice, but then she heard Luna.
"So Mia. Mom Sam is putting you to bed now. Hi Lily, how are you?"
"I feel the same as always."
"I don't really have to ask. The answer is always the same."
"My question would be, how are you?"
"Good. It's been going great lately."
"Then this is ideal."
"Yeah, I would say that too. Hey, that reminds me, I promised Mia to read a story. Bye Lily."
"Bye."
Lily hung up. She went to her closet and changed for bed. She looked at her computer. There was an email from Sam. Attached was a photo of Mia's drawing. It showed an aircraft carrier and two blond haired women standing on the ship. Sam hadn't lied. Authentic. Lily closed the computer and lay down. For Lily, this night was very restful. But Lori couldn't really rest. At 2:45 a call came in. Lori got up and walked through the darkness to her desk and took the call. It was Admiral Archer.
"Captain Lori Santiago."
"Captain, I have bad news. The German battlecruiser Gneisenau has been captured." said Admiral Archer stressed.
"Oh shit. Do you know where Gneisenau is?"
"No. She's gone off the radar. You can imagine what a heavily armed German battlecruiser can do. Go on yellow alert."
"Aye Admiral."
"Good. The second order, go to sleep. You must be fit if there is an engagement. I have yet to make this call to the USS Montana and the USS Rhode Island. Good night."
"Good night Admiral."
Archer ended the call. Lori dialed another number. A man spoke, it was Collins.
"Ensign Collins, Bridge of the USS Enterprise."
"Collins, this is Captain Santiago. Go on yellow alert. The Gneisenau has been hijacked."
"Aye Captain."
"Good. Santiago out."
Lori hung up. She lay down in her bed. Then she noticed that her quarters were being lit with faint yellow lights. Collins had now issued a yellow alert. She couldn't sleep peacefully that night. Lori knew that the Gneisenau was a strong ship. She kept going through the well-known technical data of the Gneisenau in her head.
"Five turrets with 200 mm caliber railguns. Reload time of ten seconds. 32 km firing range. 230 mm armor belt. 75 mm citadel armor. Top speed of 35 knots."
Lori knew that the Gneisenau had such high firepower that she could sink the Enterprise. And in the hands of the extremists she was even more dangerous.
It was late evening in royal woods. Lynn senior and Rita were already asleep but Lynn was checking the late night news on her cell phone. She lay on her bed.
"Now to further reports. The German battlecruiser Gneisenau was captured. It disappeared from the radar at around 19:00 Central European Time. Its current location is unknown. Since the Gneisenau poses a serious threat, The US Navy, the Royal Navy, The Russian Navy and French Navy on alert. The German cruiser Konrad Adenauer has already been assigned the hunt."
Lynn was very concerned now. The voice in her head spoke again.
"This is not good."
"You're right for once." said Lynn worried.
Lynn got up. She quietly crept down the stairs and left the house. She walked two blocks away. Then she ran towards a house. She rang the doorbell. Half a minute later Lana opened the door. She was wearing a dressing gown and looked very tired.
"Lynn? What are you doing here? It's 11:56 PM." said Lana.
"Lana, the Enterprise is in danger." said Lynn.
"We already discussed that. 300mm armor belts are sufficient."
"But the Gneisenau. The Gneisenau is the danger."
Lana got a little angry.
"By the fire-spitting, hell-hounds of Satan, the Gneisenau is a German ship! And the Germans are a friendly, honest people. The Gneisenau will not attack the Enterprise!"
"I know the Germans are good. But the Gneisenau was hijacked!"
Lana took a deep breath. Then she said something in a very calm tone.
"Lynn, you know how important my sleep is to me. If I go in there now, turn on the computer, and it says that the Gneisenau wasn't kidnapped, and you dreamed this, I'll chase you all over Royal Woods. Got it?"
"Got it."
They went into the small living room. Lana turned on a MacBook Pro and opened Safari. Lana read the newspaper report.
"At 9:00 p.m. local time, the German Ministry of Defense confirmed that the battlecruiser Gneisenau had been hijacked. That cannot be true."
"I told the truth!"
Lana didn't answer. She turned on the light and pulled out a chalkboard. Then she drew the Enterprise's armor on it. Then she drew what looked like a bullet.
"With a range of 32 kilometers, we have a dispersion of up to 500 meters. Very accurate. The shells can still penetrate about 142 millimeters of armor. But the top speed of the Enterprise is 27 knots. The Gneisenau reaches 35 knots. That means the Gneisenau will cover the distance need to decrease." said Lana.
"That means an angle of zero to ten degrees of the Enterprise. Torpedoes can hardly hit. They have to flee. F-35 will fight, but the Gneisenau has a strong anti-aircraft defense." said Lynn.
That means you also have to angle the angle to zero degrees so that the shells ricochet."
"Exactly. That will give them time." Lynn said happily.
"Yeah, and you know what?"
"What?"
"That's exactly what Lori and Lily already know. It didn't do anything here."
"Excuse me." said Lynn softly.
"Never mind. You can sleep here if you want."
Lana pointed to the couch, which was in the living room.
"Thanks." said Lynn.
Lana went upstairs. Then Lynn took off her shoes and lay down on the couch.
Robert was finally relieved. Because that night the marines of Nuuk are evacuated. Robert and his group run to the landing craft. They had set a fire behind them so the extremists couldn't follow them. Robert stopped in front of the landing craft.
"Up there! Up there! Get on there!" shouts Robert.
His friends run onto the landing craft. Then Robert heard gunshots. Extremists ran through the fire they had set. They ran towards them with their uniforms on fire. Robert took his gun and started shooting at them. Another group came up.
"Get on the landing craft Robert. We fight them." said the other group leader.
Robert enters the landing craft. They drove away. He looked over at the group of soldiers and saw them fighting bravely. Robert turned around. One of his men is wounded. He goes to him. There was a bullet wound in the arm.
"Oh shit. Hold still." said Robert.
Robert looked into the supply box. There was also a first aid box. He took out a bandage and went to his colleague. He started wrapping the bandage. When he was done, he recognized the outline of a ship. The landing craft moved to the side of the ship. A rope ladder was lowered from an opening. His injured colleague was picked up with a winch. Robert was the last to go up the rope ladder. He went to one of the sailors.
"Which ship?" asked Robert.
"What?" asked the sailor.
"What's the name of the ship?"
"USS Montana. Demon class. I shall lead you to their sleeping quarters. Please come with me."
Robert's group followed the sailor. They walked down long corridors and stairs. Then they reached a room with twelve beds. Neither of them took off their jackets. They were just glad to be able to leave Nuuk. Robert especially thought about it.
"USS Montana. I didn't think you'd pick me up. You were the demon that brought me here with John. I've never been so glad to see you." thought Robert.
Robert took out John's nameplate. He will take them to John's mother. He looked at it carefully. He never thought that one of them would die. Both hadn't considered it. John felt as if he were a different person. He closed his eyes. He focused heavily on John. He could see him. He saw how the two drove through the meadows with the bicycle. How they made a fire in the forest. How they had fun together. And now it would never be the same again.
End of the fourth chapter