The Cure for the Healer

Chapter 6

The Real Adventure

(Nicole)

The night must have flown by because I’m awakened by a soft knock at the door, and then I hear Liam’s soothing voice, “Nicole? Nicole, time to wake up.”

I don’t respond right away because I think I’m still dreaming. Then, I hear, “Zion, buddy, are you awake? Wake your mom up please.”

I call out to let him know I heard him, “Okay, I’m up.”

“Zion, time to wake up, kiddo. We have to go.”

“I don’t want to leave this bed, Mommy, please. Please, can we stay here?”

“I wish, baby. Do you remember when I told you that the next few weeks were going to be full of exciting adventures?”

“Yes, but I don’t like this adventure. It isn’t any fun. It’s too sad and scary.”

My heart breaks to hear him say those words. “Yes, it has been, but now the real adventure begins. We’re going with Liam, but we must leave before the sun comes up so no one will see him or you.”

Zion sits straight up, “We’re going with Liam?”

“Yes, we are, but we need to hurry up and get out of here.”

We both get out of bed and are ready in fifteen minutes. We head into the living room to find Liam at the dining room table having breakfast.

“Either of you hungry? Thad sent up some eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast, and juice if you’re hungry. But you only have a few minutes to eat. And guys, you can’t wear those sneakers. The boots over there are for you.”

“Okay, you heard him Zion. Put some food in your stomach.”

“Nicole, you too. I’m finished. Let me repack for you. I have a backpack for you; that suitcase won’t cut it either.”

I pout a little because that’s my favorite piece of luggage. It’s a hard-shell Tinker Bell suitcase. I remember when I got it, but I won’t complain. I simply say, “Ok, thank you, Liam.”

I sit down with Zion to eat.

Liam finishes packing my backpack and calls me over. “I need to ask you something.”

“Yes?”

“I saw your tampons. Are you bleeding right now? I ask because there’s a certain way you’ll need to dispose of them on our hike.”

“Oh, no. Not yet, I just always have to be prepared. Crap, Liam, will I be able to get supplies?”

“Don’t worry, I got you covered. I’m sure I won’t have everything you need or are accustomed to, but we’ll figure it all out. I promise. Once we cross into what I call the safe zone, I don’t want you to worry anymore.”

“When do you think we’ll get to that point?”

“This afternoon.”

“Hey guys, are we leaving or not?”

Zion has put on his boots and jacket and made it to the door.

Liam gives a chuckle and says, “Yes, sir! Let’s do this.”

He walks over to Zion. “How do your boots feel? Comfortable?”

Zion smiles and nods. “Nicole, what about you? Are your feet good?”

I stand up after putting them on. “Yeah, they feel good.”

I turn to Zion, “Zi, don’t forget your mask. It’s over…”

Liam cuts me off.

“About the masks, those are a no go. Those don’t provide enough protection.”

He hands us two masks that he grabbed from the lab. They match his. “These protect against most airborne agents. They also have a red-light indicator that will flash when anything bad is detected. I designed them myself.”

Handing them to us, he says, “Okay, now we’re ready.”

Taking a last look at the beautiful suite and my favorite piece of luggage, I wonder what this next chapter of my life will look like. Will I find my family? Will this new place be a place where Zion can thrive and be accepted? Will he be happy? Is Liam who he says he is? Will he make a good role model for Zion? I sigh and turn to Zion and Liam. “I’m ready.”