Chapter 24
Chapter 24
"Should we stop an eat something?" Daryl asks, frowning in concern as he passes me another container.
I wipe my arm across my forehead, frowning at the heavy sweat. It's well after noon and while it's still bright, the sun is finally dipping low on the horizon. We probably should stop, take a break, but the tugging on my magic has grown stronger.
I shake my head, "I want to finish the wall."
"You're awefully pale, kid, maybe a snack break won't hurt," Daryl says, zipping the bag closed and leaning around me to shout for Merle to stop.
I grab the bag, swaying more than I expected but studious ignoring it in favor of getting out a pile of containers. I shout over them both to keep going. I wish I knew why this felt so urgent but for some reason it does. So I get back to work and have to tell Merle twice to drive on. We're nearly finished anyhow. Less than thirty containers and we will have the wall closed. We just need to work for a little longer.
Neither are happy but they don't argue. Daryl even grips my shoulder to steady me when I sway too much with the trucks movement. He grumbles under his breath but I ignore it, focusing on enlarging and setting the containers up just how they are needed.
The first container comes into sight as I lean heavily against Daryl. My arm shakes with the effort but it's only a few more.
Just a few more.
Almost finished.
A deer jets across the road, bounding swiftly over the asphalt and into the trees.
I set the next container down only to see three more deer scramble across. A small flock of birds take flight. A fox scrambles over the road, followed by a huffing, snorting hog.
Daryl pushes me down, grabbing up his crossbow as Merle starts cursing from the front. The crossbow twangs as Daryl shouts, "Get us outta here!"
The truck jerks forward and I scramble up with a shouted, "Wait!"
Another hog rushes across the road with four diseased walkers pursuing it. Daryl's crossbow is echoed by Merle's gun. More dead stumble onto the road.
A dozen.
Fifty.
More.
I scramble to fix the last two containers into place as Merle tries to drive forward only to curse and shift the truck into reverse.
The last two aren't perfect but they should hold, hopefully.
The truck rumbles back, spinning harshly and only Daryl's hold keeps me from falling out. He pushes me down, his crossbow firing as the dead crowd close. The truck jumps forward, bumping high before catching and rushing forward.
My eyes are heavy, a fogginess settling thick around me as I pat abscently at his arm, "Told you we had to rush."
I don't hear whatever he says in return. Sleep or rather exhaustion pulls me under.
.....
"In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit..."
The voice is soft and feminine, whispered low like a lullaby. I blink dry crusty eyes open, squinting around the dim room. Where am I? What happened?
Oh.
I remember the containers, the wall, and the herd of dead. The brothers must've gotten us home and brought me inside. This is one of the bedrooms, the one Asher and I took over. It's Carol's voice I hear whispering the words to a children's story.
My head pounds angrily. I groan, rubbing the thick sleep from my eyes. My throat is just as dry, just as sore. I cough to clear it but it doesn't help. Man, what I would give for some water.
The bed dips. "Harry?" Asher pipes up softly.
I blink a few times before I can focus enough to see him. It takes a long moment to realize he is holding my glasses out to me. I slip them on, relieved when the room comes into focus and I spot Carol waiting beside the bed with a tall glass of ice water.
I guzzel the water quicker than would be polite but it helps tremendously with both my sore throat and my pounding head. I pass the empty glass back to Carol.
"Merle said you will need to eat?" She questions, picking up a tray from the dresser and approaching my side of the bed.
I struggle a bit to sit up, my limbs oddly uncoordinated but I manage. The bowl of vegetable soup goes quickly. Sofia shows up at one point with a tall glass of orange juice and a ham and cheese sandwich that she adds to the tray before crawling up onto the bed to watch me.
"Everyone okay?" I ask, trusting that they are or someone would've said something by now.
"We're all good," Sofia answers quietly as Asher adds, "Easton is sleeping in the crib."
"The brothers?" I prompt them.
"They're downstairs," Carol answers.
"You slept all day," Asher pouts accusingly.
"We were worried," Carol corrects.
"Magic is energy," I tell them. "The more magic you use, the more it takes out of you. I just pushed myself a bit too far, is all."
"But you're okay?" Asher prompts, pressing closer to my side as I settle back with the sandwich and juice.
I nod, "I'm good. A little food and rest and I'll be back in tip top shape."
Carol sits on the edge of the bed, clearing her throat and asking, "Was it necessary? Whatever you did."
"I know I passed out but I'm pretty sure we got hit by a herd as I was finishing up so yeah, it was necessary."
She nods, looking away, "And are you likely to do it again? Rush off and come back unconscious?"
I shrug back, "It's a possibility."
They don't seem satisfied with that answer so I explain, "Our magic is almost like a sentient thing. Through our magic, we are connected to the world around us and with our magic we can affect and alter that world. This isn't without a price. Each piece of magic takes energy from our bodies. If you take too much, or too quickly, then yes, you can end up injured or unconscious. It's why we tend to eat more and sleep deeply at night."
"Is it like diabetes?" Sofia asks, a small frown upon her brow. "Would eating candy help?"
"Not candy, exactly, but yes, eating helps."
"How much do you need to eat?" Asher asks curiously.
I shrug, "It depends on how much magic I use but the more magic I use, the more I should eat. Somewhat, anyways. You can't just stuff your face and keep casting magic because your body has to turn that food into energy for you to use but if you are using a lot of magic then you want to eat a lot of protein, sugars, and fats."
"Do you need me to make more supper?" Carol asks, frowning in concern.
I shake my head, "This is good for now and some more rest will help. I'll probably want a big breakfast in the morning but for now, I'm good."
With that and a wide yawn, I wiggle lower in the bed. Carol leads Sofia out of the room, calling a soft, "Goodnight."
"I'm glad you're okay," Asher says quietly, curling close to my side. I give him a comforting squeeze but already sleep is pulling me under.