Apocalypsis 03 - Exodus

said, wincing as I had to bend my leg to step over a log. “But do me a favor and map out all your pits and tripwires and bring it to dinner. I think you guys need to do a group presentation and show everyone what you’ve been up to. And warn people to stay way-the-hell back from the edges of those pits; they are not stable.”
    “Yeah, you’re right. I’m gonna do that. I’ll go talk to Kowi after I drop you off.”
    “How’s he doing, by the way?”
    “Good. On his feet today earlier. He’ll be fine.”
    “And what about Trip?”
    “Yeah, he’s good. The only ones still needing a lot of help are the kids who were in the pool house. And you’ve seen LaShay. She’s doing the best.”
    “She’s probably the most stubborn,” I said, smiling. I liked her a lot.
    “Yeah, no kidding. I do not want to mess with her. She’s awesome in the clinic. No one dares whine around her.”
    We reached my hut, finding Peter there doing the usual, organizing and straightening. He came rushing out to help me, taking me from Paci and shooing him away.
    “What happened?” he exclaimed, all full of worry.
    “Long story. Just help me to bed, would you?”
    “Hey, Bryn … I’ll see you guys later. I’m going to go talk to Kowi.”
    “Yeah, okay. Thanks for your help, Paci. Talk to you later.”
    Paci disappeared and Peter struggled to help me lie down. I grunted with the pain but didn’t cry out. I didn’t want Peter to feel like he’d hurt me when he didn’t have the strength to help me all the way down, causing me to fall the last foot to the mattress.
    “I’ll be right back,” he said, rushing over to the pantry to get me a bottle of water. “Here,” he said, coming back to sit by me, thrusting it in my hand. “Drink.”
    “Is that your answer to all of my injuries? Drink a bottle of water?”
    “Yes,” he said staring at me expectantly.
    I took a few gulps and then handed it back. “Here. Take it. I have to lie down.” I laid back and waited for Peter to settle in beside me. “Where’s Buster?”
    “Off galavanting,” he said. “Probably eating another snake head.”
    “Good. Less snakes to come after us.” I grimaced as I put my hands behind my head. Even the small movement of lifting it to get my hands under jogged my leg a little and made it burn all over again. Once the burning subsided, I fixed Peter with a stare, looking as serious as I could manage. “Listen … I’ve been wanting to talk to you, and now I’m injured so you have to stay and talk to me whether you like it or not.”
    Peter sighed heavily. “I had a feeling this was coming. Do we really need to do this?”
    “Just stop being a baby and talk to me. Tell me the truth. Are you in love with Trip? And is Trip in love with you?”
    ***
    Peter’s mouth dropped open for a few seconds; then it started opening and closing, as if he were talking, but no sound was coming out.
    “Go ahead,” I prompted him. “You can say it. What? … Yes? … No?”
    “Gah, no, yes, no … geez, Bryn!” He stood up quickly, leaving for the other hut. He was moving cans around now, organizing and reorganizing, his hands almost a blur they were moving so fast.
    “Hey! OCD-boy! Stop that crazy crap and get over here.”
    His hands quit moving and rested in mid-air, a can of beans in each one. “Bryn…”
    He was clearly frustrated with me, but I refused to let it dissuade me from my mission of uncovering all his secrets. “You know all my junk, Peter. It’s only fair I know yours. Now get over here and take care of me, because I’m injured, in case you haven’t fully appreciated that yet.”
    Peter put the beans down on the top shelf, completely disregarding the careful order he normally prized above all else. That’s how I knew how distressed he truly was. He shuffled over and sat down next to me, his entire body slouched so far over, he was nearly bent in half.
    “Hey, little camper … what’s wrong? Why the long face?” My dad used to say that to me all the time when I was little. And Peter looked so damn young right now it was pitiful.
    “Nothin’,” he mumbled.
    “Do not make me get up and execute Operation Cuddle Peter right now. I’d get nasty blood and goo all over the both of us.”
    He held up his two forefingers in the sign of the cross. “Stay back, demon woman.”
    I closed my eyes, speaking in a very calm voice, hoping it would make it easier for him to talk to me. “Talk to me, Goose. Tell me what’s