Chapter 5: Lock-up
Kym's POV
'She is stirring. She's opening her eyes,' I heard someone said in a distance. My eyes fluttered open and I saw Anne and Lourdes looking down at me with full concern. I closed my eyes again. The blinding of the light was too bright for me. I tried to open them again and it seems better. My pupils are adjusting to it. Just then I heard the door swung open with such great force. I turned slowly and saw Ben. He was panting.
When our eyes met, he just stood there. A look for gladness as well as anger filled his eyes. I am not sure why he was angry but I didn't ask. I can barely sit up what more talk. He walked slowly towards me. Anne and Lourdes stepped aside and gave us a moment.
'Ben,' my voice sounded raspy and croaked. He touched my forehead and pushes a stand of my hair from my eyes.
'Hey buddy! How are you feeling', he bent slightly so I could hear him.
'Feeling great' I joked and he laughed. It's good to see him laugh. At moment ago, he looked so scary.
'Don't you ever scare the shit out of me again like that,' he warned.
'I'll try to give you a warning next time,' I smiled and lifted my arm. He took it and we intertwined our fingers. It wasn't an intimate gesture but a gesture of our friendship. He smiled when he saw me joking with him.
'Okay Ben. Kym needs her rest,' Anne came over. Ben turned and nodded and turned to face me again.
'I'll come visit you very soon. I am so glad you are okay. I thought….' Before he could finish I cut in.
'Don't think like that. I am ok. Don't worry. Anne and Lourdes will take good care of me,' I assured him. Just then Weaver and Tom Mason walked in.
'Kym, we are so glad you made it,' Tom said.
'Thank you Mr. Mason. I am much better,' I gave him a faint smile.
'When I was I captivity, Karen… she…' I felt dizzy again.
'Kym. It's ok. We will talk later. You get some rest,' Tom said. I nod and closed my eyes in an effort to make the dizziness go away.
'Okay gentlemen. Kym needs her rest,' Anne said. I opened my eyes just in time to see Tom looked over to her and gave her a kiss before leaving the room with Weaver. Ben just stood there, looking at me with a sad look.
'I'm gonna be okay,' I mouthed. He nod and with that he left the room too.
I closed my eyes again and tried to get some rest.
Ben's POV
Kym has been unconscious for three days and when one of the nurse told me she has woken up, I dashed across the cafeteria where I was having some coffee. I have never left her side for the past three days but that day, Hal and Maggie insisted that I come to the cafeteria with them for some breakfast. I know they have been concern about Kym too. Matt has been asking about her non-stop. This kid is very fond of Kym. Who wouldn't? Kym is the most humble and big-hearted person I have ever met. Whenever Matt struggles with his school work, Kym will be the one who give him extra lessons. When Matt needed someone to play with Kym would volunteer. When Matt got an earful from dad, he would turn to Kym and Kym would have the right words for him.
Seeing Kym lying motionless on the hospital bed for the past three days have been difficult. I missed her so much. I can't bear to lose any more people whom I care about. After mom, Jimmy's death was the last straw. Now this incident with Kym made my heart hardened and filled with hatred. I know dad had lectured me about the feeling of hate before but this is what I am feeling right now.
Now that she is ok, I am very thankful. It was such a beautiful sight to see her smile and joked. My heart was also hurting for her too. Kym doesn't deserve to be treated this way. Losing her family was already a great impact and now being physically and mentally hurt by Karen is just too much for her.
I know I can't change the past. I can't go back to where before the invasion started. My life will never be the same again. But as I have said before, I can change the future. With that, I was hopeful.
[Two weeks after Kym was injured by Karen]
Kym's POV
A few days after I have recovered from my wound, I told Tom and Weaver how and what happened on that day. Whatever that Karen told me, she told Tom and Weaver so it wasn't a secret. We concluded that she took me to serve as a warning to the 2nd Mass like she said. She wanted to form an alliance with us. I do not know the details as I am not one of the fighters in the 2nd Mass. They have regular meetings and missions, and all or most of them are kept top secret to prevent anyone from jeopardizing it. I am now quarantine to ensure my safety and the safety of the entire 2nd Mass because none of us know for sure if Karen has planted anything in me. It's no fun to be locked up in the room but I know it's for the safety of the rest.
I heard the lock being turned. I looked up and saw Ben, Hal and Matt entering the room. Ben had with him a tray of food. I guessed it must have been my breakfast. He brought them to me every day for the past 2 weeks that I have been quarantined. I flashed both the brother a smile. It was rare to see all three of them together.
'Hey Kym. How are you feeling?' Matt asked as he bounced on my bed. I ruffled his head just like how his brothers and dad do.
'Feeling great! Just look at the view from the window. It was breath-taking', I tried to sound sarcastic. Matt looked out the window and then turned to me, puzzled.
'There are just some overgrown grass and dried leaves from the tree. You called that breath-taking? You are pulling my leg,' he smiled.
'Exactly!' I replied. Ben and Hal looked apologetic. I knew they were against the idea of me being stay locked up, especially Ben. But Tom and Weaver do not want to take chances. I agreed. The 2nd Mass' lives are at stake if Karen really did put some bugs in me.
'Here is your breakfast. Oatmeal,' Ben said as he placed the tray on the table.
'Yummy. The most delicious food in the world,' I said as I gave Ben a wink. He smiled and so did Hal and Matt.
'We can't stay long today. Both Ben and I had to go on our rounds,' Hal said.
'It's ok. The book that Ben brought a couple of days ago will be keeping me company,' I said and then shoot a smile at Ben. The book was 'A Tale of Two City'. Well I was never a classic enthusiast and Ben knew about it. He has been trying to get me to like it for weeks when we first got to know each other and now is his opportunity. Well, it will do. Better than nothing at all. I am an avid reader. Before the invasion, I spent most of my free time reading or browsing book stores or e-books. Now getting a book in sight is a luxury. So, I am not complaining.
'Moreover, Julie will visit too after her duty in the kitchen,' I said enthusiastically. Not that I was enthusiastic about being locked up but I shouldn't be depressed over it.
'You take care buddy,' Ben said before he left with his brothers. He had started calling me 'buddy' ever since the incident with Karen. I am not too sure why. Maybe I will ask him next time.
Ben's POV
After my patrol with Hal and Maggie ended, I hurried back to 2nd Mass. I wanted to see Kym again. I felt sorry that she has to be tortured by Karen and now being locked up. I understand why dad and Weaver made that decision but that doesn't mean I like the idea. I almost had an argument with my dad over this.
[Flashback]
'Dad. We can't lock her up. She has just recovered. She is still weak. And moreover this is ridiculous,' I practically shouting when I knew about the plan during one of our meetings.
'Ben, you have to be rational. We do not know what Karen has done to her,' dad was trying to assure me.
'But this is crazy!' Hal put his hand on my shoulder. I knew this was a sign that I am getting too frustrated. Maggie looked uncomfortable and so was Anthony. Denni doesn't like the idea too but she kept quiet. What could she say? Only Pope seems fine with the idea.
'Yeah. I think Tom is right. We don't know what's in her,' Pope said sarcastically. I feel like punching his face again. I never regretted I did it before when he bad-mouthed Hal and our family. If Weaver has not stopped me, I would have done more damaged than just breaking his nose.
'But dad, Ben is right. Kym is still weak. She needs care', Hal chipped in.
'We will make sure she gets the care she needed. Anne or Lourdes will come to see her daily to check on her,' Colonel Weaver said. Well, that sounds good but having Kym lock up is still not a very good choice.
'Yes Ben. She will be taken care of,' Dad said firmly. There is nothing more I could say.
[End of flashback]
'What's the hurry, Ben?' Hal asked when he saw me walking briskly back to camp after doing our patrols. I saw Maggie nudged him on the chest with her elbow. They exchanged a smile. Yeah, I know. They thought there's something going on between me and Kym after they saw how much I care for her. They are now starting to take Denni's teasing of Kym being my girlfriend more seriously. Well, I don't care. I just want to spend time with my best friend. I ignored Hal and hastened my speed. I heard them chuckled from behind me. I turned and gave them a disgusting look. That seems to make them laugh harder. I have no strength to deal with them at the moment.
I went straight to the lock-up room. From the small glass on the door, I could see Kym reading a book lying down on the bed. Her dark hair sprawled on the pillow. I never noticed how smooth her hair was before. I didn't notice they have grown longer too. I saw her closed the book and then sighs and then opened the book again and the closing it again. She was restless and I chuckled to myself. She turned. Oops! She heard me and now she saw me. She narrowed her eyes and stood up.
'Hey, Ben Mason. What were you laughing about?' she demanded. That made me chuckled louder. She looks cute when she's angry. But most of all, I am glad she is alive. The guard who was on duty outside of her room unlocked the door to allow me in.
'So, do you like the book?' I picked it up from the bed next to where she was standing.
'It's not too bad considering there isn't much I can do here,' she said as a matter-of-fact and then sat down on the bed. 'How was your patrol with Hal and Maggie today?' she continued. I put the book down and looked at her.
'As usual. Actually, I can't wait for it to end. I wanted to come and see you,' I said as I took a stool and sat across from her. She looked pleased.
'Thanks! It's been quite a boring day for me. Julie did stop by for a while to bring me lunch. We talked for a while but I am hoping to get a breath of fresh air,' she lamented. I felt so sorry for her.
'You will. Soon. I promise!' I said. She grinned. Such a lovely face.
'What have you been doing..erm, except for reading?' I asked out of curiosity. Being locked up I am not sure what else she could be doing except sleep, eat and read. There was a far-away look before she spoke.
'I've been thinking a lot about the whole ordeal with Karen,' the moment she mentioned the word Karen I saw her trembled a little. I stood up and sat next to her on her bed. My arm went around her shoulder.
'I know it was a terrible time for you. I knew how scary and frightening it was. I am sorry I wasn't there to stop it from happening!' I still felt guilty for not able to prevent it.
'There is nothing you could have done to stop it so no guilt trip, ok,' she assured me. The she sighed. 'It was worse than the time when my parents and Amelia got killed,' she whispered. She looked so fine this morning and now she is almost crumbling. She has been trying hard to be strong for us but deep inside she is shaking with fear. And now all alone lock-up in this room…it's terrible.
'I was so afraid that I would die and never having the opportunity to say goodbye to you and the 2nd Mass. All of you have become so dear to me that I am so afraid of losing anyone of you,' She looked so lost and defeated.
'Everything will be ok. Trust me!' I said as I tightened my arm around her. I have to talk to Anne about this. She would help me to talk to dad.
After I left Kym, I went to see Anne. She was in a small discussion with Lourdes when I walked in. Both of them looked up with concern.
'Hi Ben. Is something wrong?' Lourdes asked. She looked concern.
'Everything is fine. Erm… I would like to speak to you, Anne', I said, looking first at Lourdes and then at Anne. 'Am I disturbing? I can come back later,' I said.
'No Ben. I am done here with Anne. You both go ahead,' Lourdes said. She left the room to give Anne and me some privacy.
'Come sit over here,' Anne said as she patted the seat across from her table. I walked over and took my seat.
'What's the matter, Ben?'
'It's Kym,' I said hesitantly. Immediately Anne looked concern. I don't want her to be worried.
'What do you mean? Is she ok?' Anne asked.
'No….she is not. She appears to be but she is not. She has been locked up in that room for two weeks. She is being taken care of but has anyone ever thought what this enclosure will do to her after that ordeal with Karen?' I said, sounding frustrated and feeling exhausted with all that is happening.
'Is she having nightmares?' Anne looked concern. She was also against the idea at first but we can't take any risks. I shouldn't have been so harsh with her.
'I am sorry Anne. I didn't mean to sound so harsh. I am just very concern about Kym,'
'I understand. She is your best friend. I am concern about her too. All of us are,' she said as she squeezed my hand.
'Is there something we can do? Can you talk to dad? Could we let her out?'
'Yes, I will talk to your dad', she smiled.
'Thanks!' we got up and gave each other a hug. Anne is my step mom now, I guessed. Mom will always be my mom and no one can replace her. Anne will never take mom's place but I love her just as much. I am very glad for dad to have Anne with him. Losing mom wasn't easy for him too. And for Matt, having a mother figure around would do him good.