seymoure | (no subject)

45.

Before the boys were twenty steps from the clinic they were confronted by a parade of well wishers. It looked as if every corridor in every direction was filled with Inheritors who were in silent gratitude for the heroism of the boys and their mother.

The quiet crowd let the boys move through them with a clap on the shoulder or a whispered word of “Thanks,” or “She’ll be okay.”

When the boys got back to the room they found Hank and Jeremy there, with Doctor Thursday and a girl they both knew as “Shadow” (So named because she could disappear in any shadow and not been seen.).

Hank met the boys at their door, and walked them to the kitchen, like an Uncle who reigns in the house of sorrow.

After they boys had gotten a glass of lemonade from the fridge, they moved to the living room area.

Hank spoke in soft spoken terms.

“Would you like me to jump forward?” He asked, and they knew the reason he would be looking.

“I want to know, and I don’t” Mickey said.

“Yeah,” David agreed.

“Sometimes it is better to wait for what has really happened, rather than what might be in one of many futures,” assured Doctor Thursday.

The group sat in the room, without a word.

Mickey understood for the first time how important companionship is in time of trouble.

He had felt so alone when his father died, and he didn’t think he could survive it if something happened to his mother.

Having all these friends to assure him that she would be alright was very important to him.

Suddenly the depressing calm was shattered by the words of Colonel Stonedragon, coming over the loud speakers.

“David McCauley. Micheal McCauley. Come to Colonel Stonedragon’s office at once. It is of the first priority. Come at once.”

The boys looked at each other.

This could not be good.

They had no idea just how bad it could be.