“We weren’t going to tell you this. I know your. . . history with Jules’ fiancé. But, I wanted–no–I needed you to understand. We can’t let anyone get between us again. Dormas has experienced too much loss. We’re all these people have.”
I nodded my head in understanding, the importance of my presence in their household clicked into place. They needed someone to mend the separation brought on by Jules. It was at that moment that I vowed never to do anything that would jeopardize that for them.
“Thank you for telling me,” I told Jacob.
“I just couldn’t stand you thinking I didn’t want you,” he said with a smirk. All seriousness went from his expression.
“Oh yes, well, my little heart can finally be at peace,” I replied in a playful tone that seemed unfamiliar to me. Was this what it was like to have fun? To be with people that didn’t care about the fact that I’m a Walker?
That night, I made a pasta dinner using the ingredients Jacob and I got from the general store. I hoped that talk of my embarrassing assumptions wouldn’t come up again, but the teasing nature of the men guaranteed that I wouldn’t escape dinner without some embarrassment.
They snickered while I set the table and playfully called me “Lover” whenever I passed. I tried to take their jest in stride, but a healthy blush still covered my cheeks.
When it was time to eat, all but Maverick sat at the table, and I assumed that he was still tending to the sick Walker. Therefore, instead of joining them, I started preparing a basket of food for him. I knew firsthand how draining it was to care for sick Walkers whose bodies reject the vaccine.
“Where’re you off to, Ash?” Patrick asked with a mouth full of bread. Apparently, the formality of yesterday’s meal was gone, and everyone decided to jump right into inhaling copious amounts of food and pasta.
“I’m going to bring Maverick a meal. He’s been tending to that Walker all day,” I answered politely.
“Do you want someone to accompany you?” Cyler asked with his mouth full.
“Jacob showed me where the clinic was. I should be fine,” I said with a smile. “Besides, I don’t think you are quite up to walking again, yet.”
Cyler scowled at me. It was apparent that he didn’t like feeling useless.
After figuring out which bedroom belonged to him, I gathered a pack of clothes and toiletries for Maverick. At first, I felt weird going through his belongings, but I assumed that he wouldn’t care. Usually, when Walkers’ bodies rejected the vaccine, it took days of fighting.
The sun began to set when I finally was ready to set out and assist Maverick. A nervous energy washed over me, and I wondered how he was doing. The evening air had a bit of a chill, so I found a black, hooded cloak to wear. Just as I was about to leave, a harsh cough stopped me in my tracks. Huxley stood in the entryway with a prominent scowl on his face.
“I’ll clean up the mess from dinner when I get back.” I offered, assuming that his sour expression stemmed from something wrong I did, but instead of scolding me, he merely thrust an electric lantern out towards me.
I wordlessly took it from his hand and nodded my head in thanks. The gesture was thoughtful, but I wasn’t foolish enough to believe that he would be extending kindness towards me often. Huxley was scary. Period. The way he looked at me was frightening, and after Jacob told me what happened to him, I realized that Huxley was a man that was ruthless when it came to protecting his family, and I didn’t want to be someone that was on his wrong side.
After turning on the lantern and adjusting my cloak, I made my way outside and down the dark path towards the clinic.
Chapter Thirteen
The clinic was modest in size but inside contained all the amenities of the most beautiful hospitals back in Galla. Once, as a child, I broke my arm after Josiah dared me to climb the most massive tree in the park by their dwelling. Children cheered me on as I rose higher and higher, and each step made me feel like I could kiss the clouds. The adrenaline caused by the height and their cheers spurned me forward, but just as I was about to reach the apex of the tree, I stole a glance at Josiah. Even then, I craved his approval and appreciation. But instead of a smile, he wore a thick scowl. The expression caught me off guard, causing me to slip and fall.
Master Stonewell Sr. begrudgingly took me to the hospital, insisting that I would be useless if it didn’t set correctly. I remember feeling cold and the doctors all providing me with deep-set frowns of disdain. I wasn’t allowed pain medicine, and a large, balding doctor set my arm methodically while another held me down. Josiah watched with morbid curiosity, and that night he snuck into my room to read to me while I tried to sleep and cope with the trauma of the day.
If I were a member of the elite, they would have put me into a healing pod. It cured most breaks but was expensive to use.
Maverick’s clinic felt warm and inviting, despite the medical equipment. I explored the offices briefly, until I found Maverick in a back room, standing over a poor girl suffering in bed. She was drenched in sweat and moaning quietly. Maverick watched her with trepidation and almost didn’t notice me walk in.
Once we made eye contact, he turned silently and guided us both out of the room, allowing her to sleep. He seemed to be overwhelmed with grief. Most knew that those whose bodies rejected the vaccine didn’t usually make it.
“I brought you dinner and a change of clothes,” I whispered. I didn’t want to wake the suffering girl in the back room.
“Thank you, Ashleigh. It’s been a long day.” Maverick gripped his hair and looked around the room while sucking in a deep breath.
“I’m happy to be out of that room. I hate that I can’t help her,” he growled. The Vaccine Rejection was a common phenomenon and couldn't be cured by anything.
“Here. Let's eat and rest a moment. I know this is hard for you, but you’ve got to take care of yourself, too.” I said.
We both sat on the floor outside of her room. Maverick seemed uncomfortable, and it was evident that he wanted to remain near in case she woke up. We ate in silence. I felt unsure of how to help Maverick but seeing him eat eased my worries considerably.
“Thank you for this, Ashleigh. You should be getting back soon. I don’t want you walking around late at night,” he said while rubbing his eyes.
“May I stay? I-I've seen this before.” I said. I prayed the sadness from my past didn’t coat my tone.
“What happened in your experience?” Maverick asked. “You don’t have to tell me,” he quickly added after seeing my sad expression.
“The Stonewells once tried to take on a second Walker,” I started, trying to keep my voice low and steady. “They wanted someone to work in the gardens and perform more complex repairs. His name was Elliot. He was fifteen, and I was just thirteen.” I allowed myself to remember him. He was handsome with long, black hair that swept across his forehead. I remember gawking at him when the Stonewells introduced us. “The Stonewells claimed him. They vaccinated him on his first day. At first, he seemed fine.
“I remember feeling excited to have someone like me in the house. Josiah–my master–was more like a friend, but there was something magical about knowing someone with the same . . . status as me.” Maverick looked at me with sad eyes.