Chapter 6 #2
"Shhhh. Nothing is set in stone yet. There's a lot to do before we get to that point." I'm lying through my teeth, but I need her to breathe. "Can you just take some deep breaths and relax for me, Will?" I start rubbing circles on my sister's back, trying to calm her down.
A panic attack for Willow means something very different than it does for most people.
Willow's lungs are weak, easily irritated.
The medication keeps them clear, and keeps the liquid from piling up and drowning her, but I'm never sure how this might affect her.
Soon Willow's breaths slow. The raspy rattle's still there, but it isn't as overwhelming.
Willow turns back towards to the kitchen. I face our brother, who is still standing there like someone's turned him to stone. I give him a chastising look, to which he shrugs his shoulders and mouths I'm sorry. I let out a sigh that lets him know it's ok.
We sit at the table and wait for Willow to serve us.
She plops down two portions, of what I'm really not sure.
The protein bricks look like they have been reimagined.
She's mashed them down and cooked them to look like disks, disks that are a little burnt.
Linden takes a bite, nodding his head like they aren't that bad.
Seeing Linden's reaction, I feel brave enough to try a taste.
Willow smiles encouragingly, but suddenly Linden is sprinting to the sink and gagging up everything in his mouth.
He's frantically searching for water. And then it hits me.
Possibly the worst aftertaste in the world.
I run to the sink, pushing my gagging brother over, fighting for the tap. Both dry heaving.
"What is that!? It's horrible!" I shriek.
"Willow, what did you do? It's not human waste, is it? Please tell me I did not just eat shit." Linden is shriller than I've ever heard him.
Willow is looking at us both and dissolves into laughter. It's contagious and I can't contain my grin.
"It's obviously not shit, ok, it was just an experiment.
I used the tea and a few other things. I thought it might make it.
.. taste better?" She is cackling now, watching as our brother drowns himself in the sink.
"A failed experiment, obviously!" She's bent over now, unable to contain herself as our brother continues to lose his mind.
I compose myself, but I can't help but join Willow as fresh tears form in her eyes, from laughter this time, watching Linden's continued dramatics.
We're holding each other up, waiting for Linden to pull it together.
"Maple, I worry about how you're alright after that. I need to go to the hospital. I think my tongue might atrophy." He's laughing now too, although he's got a cloth he's rubbing on his tongue.
"You are such a baby," I say, wiping the tears from my eyes. "I can't with you two, I'm living with lunatics."
Linden scoffs as he fake stomps to his room and slams the door. We erupt into more laughter, which turns into a cough for Willow, but not a bad one. This was absolutely worth getting up for.
I had every intention of being productive instead of hanging out with my siblings, playing games, and reading. But I realize with uneasy certainty that these days will be what push me forward when I'm training at The Centre.
Once you enlist, I don't think it's long before you have to leave. The thought sobers me up a little. Soon… I'd do it all soon.
I notice that Willow's breaths are coming in shorter, a little raspier, the dark circles under her eyes glaring at me from across the living room.
Linden and I both know the signs, what happens before a real episode takes place.
The telltale warnings are here, which means I have even less time than I originally expected.
It's afternoon by the time Linden finally gets going, heading back to the school to study. He locks eyes with me, silently communicating what I'm already thinking. Willow is going to need her medication soon, which is unnerving because the last dose lasted longer.
The hospital always gives it to her via a vapor mask, having her inhale the medication.
We used to take the chamber home, but materials being one of the main valuable resources around here, they no longer let you take much of anything home.
I make a mental note of what I'll have to do later, the loose ends at the diner, and write a rundown of bills for Linden to take over in my absence.
The realization that I'm going to have to track down my surly best friend tonight makes my stomach churn. Linden leaves, claiming he won't be gone long.
Willow and I are lazily laying in the living room reading. Neither of us wanting to break the easy bubble we're in. I catch a glimpse of her notebook on the floor.
"Will, is that your report? Can you read it to me?" I ask gently.
She frowns at me. "Why?"
"Because," I say with a smile, "You said it was brilliant, and I could use the education."
She huffs, but reaches for it anyway, mumbling something about not talking while class is in session. I lay back, staring out the dusty skylight and listen to my clever little sister's raspy voice.