Chapter 11

Chapter 11

I peered out the window, hoping to see at least a small ray of sun. But I didn’t, instead I saw rain clouds, dark rain clouds. And rain, lots of rain. Small and tiny drops. I ran my hands through my tangled blonde hair. My finger getting caught on the occasional knot. My  phone rang and I picked it up without thinking. 

“Hello?” I asked in a little voice I seemed to own. 

“Cassi? HELLO!” I had to pull the phone away from my ear. 

“Liam? Is that you?” It was my two year old brother. 

“Cassi, I love you, but Mummy wants to talk” I rolled my eyes 

“Okay, I love you too Liam”

A few seconds later I heard my Mother’s voice. 

“Cassi?”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“We were just watching the news, the waters meant to be dropping, but really slowly. It’s going to take weeks. You’ll just have to hold in there”

“Mum, we can’t. It’s hopeless. Nothing’s right. We have to get out sooner or later otherwise I don’t think theres going to be many of us left. I’m sorry” I had to hang up. 

I nearly jumped when someone came up behind me. 

“Who was that?” Finally, his voice, it calmed me. 

“Mum, and Liam. Won’t be surprised if they call back in a few minutes” He looked at me. 

“Anything important?”

“Oh yeah, the water’s dropping, but slowly, she said it could take weeks” Jeremy sighed. 

“Okay, I guess we’ll have to do what we can” I sat down and leaned my head against the wall. It was so cold, it gave me goosebumps. He sat beside me and grabbed my hand. I leaned my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. Then I opened them. 

“How come this happened to us? Why couldn’t it happen after we left?” sighed again.

“It has to happen to someone I guess” 

“I know, but us? Why did it have to be us?” I looked up at him. He leaned down and kissed me softly on the lips. Lightly brushing them with his tongue. I leaned my head on his shoulder again. 

“Why didn’t you talk to me?” I knew he knew what I was talking about.

“Because I didn’t know weather you wanted to talk to me or not”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“I don’t know! I just was confused” My phone rang again. I answered it. 

“Hello?”

“Cassi, it’s Liam”

“Liam, what are you doing? It’s nearly midnight, you should be in bed” 

“I am in bed” He yelled back at me. I couldn’t help but grin

“Liam, what’s wrong?”

“Mummy said the waters going to get higher. She didn’t tell you the truth” I couldn’t speak. 

“Cassi, can you come home yet?” 

“Liam, you’ll have to wait a little bit, I’ll be home soon, even Jeremy” When I said his name I knew he was looking at me. “We’ll all be home soon, I promise”

“Okay”

“Now go to sleep, I’ll see you real soon” I sighed “I love you Liam”

“I love you too” He hang up. I sat back and imagined what he was doing. Laying in his little bed, hugging the phone and waiting for me to call again. One tear escaped the corner of my eye and before it could go anywhere, Jeremy caught it. I lean my head into his hand and he rested his other hand on my other cheek. He leaned down and kissed me hard and firm. I couldn’t breathe, but I didn’t care. I kissed him back just as hard. I laid my head on his chest, closed my eyes and drifted to sleep. 

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She was so cute when she slept. I carried her to her little hospital bed and put a blanket over her. She opened her eyes and moved across offering me to lay down with her. So I did. I pulled the blanket right up and under her chin. Put my arm under her head and let her drift off again. I knew she felt safe. She kept moving, and moving. I imagine she was having a nightmare, and then I heard little whispers, calling my name.

“Jeremy? Jeremy? Jeremy? Where are you?” She was crying and I couldn’t help but answer her as she opened her eyes. 

“Cassi, it’s okay, I’m here. Your okay” I cupped her face with my hand. 

“You left. Like Elsie. And Todd. And Lucas and Hazel” I wiped her eyes and shushed her.

“Hey, it’s okay, I’m not leaving for a million years” I whispered into her ear before I kissed her on the forehead. I could hear her sigh for relief. 

“Just go back to sleep, I’m not going anywhere” I told her.

“Okay” And she did. Within a few minute, she was asleep again. But this time, I fell asleep as well.