Black Morning Sky: 02

Farms and more farms one after the other made the way to Louise's house pretty calming. She didn't say or asked me anything else after we got in the truck. From the outside it looked like a toy. Straight lines, minimalistic design made the medium sized vehicle seem too fragile for the country work but I didn't put too much thought into it.

A few minutes on the comfy seats and the quiet environment knocked me down.

I woke up on the outside of the white painted house with Louise holding the door for me. My head was pounding so hard I felt dizzy, almost falling down if there wasn't somebody there to catch me.

- I'm sorry. - the dirt floor was moving around like waves on the sea, giving me no confidence to walk on my own. I leaned against the car with my eyes closed, feeling weaker than I had ever felt in my life.

- Take your time.

Took me a couple of long breaths to push down the nausea and get courage to open my eyes. Louise supported me by the waist, pulling me with her. In spite of me being way too big for her to carry, the farmer was no ordinary lady. Only with her help I was able to get to the tv room near the kitchen.

- Lay down while I make you some tea.

Keeping my eyes opened was taking every bit of strength I had. I was tired and cold but so relaxed to be there. Once the familiar face was out of my sight everything went dark, taking the bit of conscience I still had with it.

It was day when I laid on the small couch we had watched and argued about movies not so long ago. Then, when I looked around all the lights were on to cast away the shadows that predominated on the outside. I sat down this time no dizziness came to knock me down and I was no longer cold, thanks to the blanket I had over me.

- Look who's back from the dead. - the tiny farm woman entered by the back door close to where I was. In her arms she had a basket but I couldn't see what was in it. - Are you hungry for brains?

- Actually… - I was up and ready to refuse when a roar echoed inside me instantly changing my mind. - I'll accept those brains. I haven't been this hungry since I was 14.

- Well, we're out of "brains" but I can make breakfast. - she turned around from the stove with a tray of fresh baked bread.

- That'll have to do then. Hand it over, lady!

- Lemme make coffee first.

- Nonsense. - it roared again, stronger this time. - I'll have some while we wait or I'll pass out again.

- That bad, huh? - a simple nod was my answer. By then I had my mouth stuffed with hot bread and couldn't stop for anything. Louise stared at me from across the kitchen island. The coffee water over the fire by her side. - Do you want to tell me now or?

Silence walked around us, waiting for someone to break it. The sound of the boiling water did the job, taking Louise's attention away from me.

- Can I have some butter?

- Sure.

We had night breakfast with coffee prepared using a technique common in late countries from the other side of the globe. Louise told me about how she decided to try ancient cooking methods she was learning online. Naive and hungry as I was, I commented she should open a restaurant in the city. That was enough to send her on a rant about how shitty Tier-1 food was for a good while.

Between chatting and eating, time passed without me noticing. I wasn't sleepy nor cold anymore, on the opposite, all the hot liquid warmed my body from inside out. Feeling that comfortable was a little strange, out of character even.

Only after the coffee had ended, I decided to reach for my screen to check the hour.

The watch marked the exact time that the web went down. First thing I did was check my connection. While I typed commands to test the signal I noticed a tremor on my hands. Something was going to happen, I could feel it. They wouldn't let me go like that. Desperate, my heart raced trying to get me ready for what was coming. So many people were there, all of them running in the wrong direction. How could I stop it when I was so cold my limbs didn't move.

- Sato?

Someone was there in the crowd. They had found me. He knew what I did. It was over for me, there was nowhere to go. They knew who I was.

- Sato! - a hand touched me. I didn't want to end up in a truck with them. It was too dark. Too cramped. I had to go away. In the background a loud noise scared me out. Not firm enough to sustain my body weight, my legs trampled each other bringing me down with them.

- Sato, breathe!

Crawling like a wounded child, trying to get as far from that voice as possible, I reached a wall. A freezing chill spread through my body. I had nowhere to run.

- Please, I'm sorry!

- I'm not gonna hurt you. It's me, Louise!

Among the chaos of smoke, bodies and flashes, one familiar voice called me out. She was there.

"What was she doing there?"

- Take everyone else but leave them alone! - I had to do something. It happened so soon, I didn't get any time. There was so much I wanted to know.

- Sato, breathe! You're safe. "They" are safe!

- No, they're not! - the person was close but I didn't feel threatened.

- Open your eyes, it's okay.

Her words helped me focus. I wanted to leave that moment. Aware of my shaking cold hands and palpitating heart, I fought against my instincts and did as she said. First I saw my hands, clutching on my knees so hard my fingertips were white.

- See, you're safe. - I looked up but stopped I could see her face. She was kneeling in front of me holding my shoulders. - You can breathe now. - slowly and carefully stroking my arms, she slid her hands until they met mine.

Couple in and outs and I regained a shred of confidence to look Louise in the eyes. She held my hands tight which made the trembling disappear and set my heart to a normal pace. Determined to have only the image of our hands together in sight, a burning sensation interrupted that. I was afraid to look further up.

Battling not to blink and let something escape, a gentle squeeze on my hand pushed me to look up. Patiently waiting, a pair of brown peaceful eyes, free of judgement, watched over me.