• "thunder" chapter fifteen

    Nobody came through the gate after Amberyn. At least, nobody came through during my shift. When the clock struck eleven, I went to check on Dess.
    When i got to the infirmary, she was still unconcious. I went to the nurse, "how long will she be out?" I asked.
    The nurse didn't look away from her work. she was bandaging up a hunter whose wounds looked worse than anyone else, "oh, she woke up a while ago, but I told her she needed some more rest. I guess she fell asleep."
    I sat next to her. When she was awake, holding her sword high, she looked indestructible. But now that she was asleep, she looked like if you picked her up and dropped her, she'd shatter into a million peices. It was truly amazing how a woman could look so strong, and yet so delicate. I looked, and noticed her clothes were torn all the way up to the shoulder. I was contemlating waking her up, when she sat up, "What did I miss?"
    I smiled, "You could've been killed. Next time, don't underestimate your enemy like that." I scolded her. she may have been a skilled fighter, but hunters were honored for their keen instincts.
    She frowned, "I guess I really wanted to prove my strength."
    "what do you mean?"
    She sighed, "It's a long story."
    "I have time."
    She walked away, leaving behind a sad aura. Before she got too far, she turned around, "But I don't. Thanks for bringing me to the infirmary. I hope my next shift is better than my first."
    I walked quietly over to her, "Why won't you tell me?"
    "You have enough on your plate, remember?"
    She was right. I had the subject of Maria, having sex with Ms. Tenor, my brother trying to kill me, the training Matt's dad requested of me, and the day of the dead, as well as my last day here for another year, rolling around, I really did have a hell of a lot to handle. she hugged me and left.
    "She sure is a strong one." The nurse said, without warning, from behind me.
    I jumped, "where'd you come from?" I asked.
    She giggled, "I love the ones that scare easily."
    "I wasn't scared, I was just startled!" I retorted.
    "You were so scared. I bet you're shaking." She teased.
    I gave up. I was too tired to argue.
    She looked at me with concern, "Is it that bad of a job?"
    "No, Today was just a very exhausting day."
    She patted my shoulder sympathetically, "Don't tell me that. You have a very tough job. And for someone as young as you..."
    "If you poeple know my age, then why do you all try to hit on me?"" I asked, angered at just how she knew my age.
    She did something I didn't expect any of the women who ever tried to hit on me to do. She shrugged, "I'm not sure, really. You're just really attractive. women who could be your mother want you to make them mothers," we both laughed at the thought, "You're just a very specil guy." the air around us was soft, sensual, and that was not good.
    "Well, I have to get home. Have a great day."
    "you too." She said, and I left.I've worked at that gate since I finished my training at ten years old. The infirmary, the gate itself, the poeple around here, they never changed. Their personalities, however, have never been the same longer than a week. these guys always change with time. and every change I see is one I enjoy.
    I called a taxi and went home exhausted. It was almost 11:30, and mom was already in bed. I decided not to bother with supper, and went to bed. The earlier events filled my mind with horrific visions of Marcus killing almost everyone at the gate, Leaving me alone. I continually woke up with a startling gasp.
    The morning crashed into me without warning. Today was the day I left off with Matt, Melanie, and whatever others Matt's dad recruited, to wherever it was he wanted me to go for the elemental training. I was less than pleased to have it come by so quickly.
    Matt, his dad, and Melanie were all scrambled up at my door. I opened it before they had the chance to knock, "Hey guys."
    They were freezing in the January wind, "Hi, Adrian," Melanie smiled.
    I smiled back to them, "Hi, Mel. Why don't you guys come in. You look cold."
    They rushed through the door like pissed off cows, and quickly found their way to the couch. All except Matt's dad, who went into the kitchen to find my mom, who was making hot chocolate. I heard a very girly squeak from my mom. I sat on the couch next to Melanie, who cuddled herself up on my lap.
    "You guys could've warned me, you know." I stated blankly.
    She cuddled closer, "I felt like coming over, anyway." she looked around the place, "Nice place." She said.
    "You should see my room." I said
    Matt rolled over, "Especially in the dark. It's sparkly." As wrong as that sounded.
    She paused, then spoke up after a whie, "No comment."
    "Matt, I'll kill you." I threatened him.
    "Curiosity stiking, since when were you lucky enough to be cuddled up with Ms. Tenor?"
    "Shut up, Matt, he's hot." Melanie silenced herself immediately as mom, Matt's dad, and Matt looked at her. There was a long, strained silence.
    Mom broke the silence, "did you just say what I think you said?"
    I spoke for her, "How about you and I clear that up some other time, mom? That's a long story to tell."
    "You owe me one hell of an explanation if it's what I think it is." She reverted her attention to Matt's dad, who everybody else had completely lost track of.
    I looked at Melanie aggrivatedly. She squeaked weakly.
    We passed time at my house until sometime around eleven thirty. Matt's dad walked in and pushed us all off the couch, "Alright, you three, we have to get going."
    We Struggled to get to our feet. "I can quit just as easily as I offered, you know," Melanie threatened with a palpable anger.
    "You wouldn't leave me with a pair of necromancers, would you?" I asked her.
    She sighed, and smiled at me. I smiled back, then my mom hit me on the head with something hard, "You owe me an explanation first."
    I got up, attempting in vain to rub the pain away, "Okay, okay, I'll tell you. Can you guys go get the car warmed up?"
    They were already gone. Mom sat down on the couch. I sat next to her, "Melanie told me how she felt about you."
    "I can't lie, mom. I feel the same way about her. It's just the whole teacher-student thing makes me feel bad."
    "Well, if you two ever wind up caught up in the moment.' She grabbed my hands with soft maternity, "Please Adrian, please make sure you stay safe. The last thing you need right now is more trouble."
    I smiled, "mom, you don't have to worry. We did do it a couple of days ago, but we took every possible measure."
    She smiled, "good."