Sixty-four

I wake up to the man in question and my saviour staring at me from across the cabin, where he has perched himself on the edge of the bed. Our eyes lock in the darkness and I fight the impulse to sit up and lunge at him.

If it weren't for him, Abe would have left me to die.

" Soph said you wanted to speak to me," He cuts straight to the chase.

Slowly, I push myself up on the bed and clear my throat. Food, rest and the right medication can do wonders for healing the body.

" Yes. I wanted to thank you for saving my life," He seems like a man who appreciates honesty and also straightforwardness.

" You weren't completely out of it then. When we found you, I mean " He says with a small smile, and I shake my head.

He dips his head, clasps his hand in his lap and stands up from the bed. He and Abe share similar physical traits, so I assume they are brothers or at least closely related.

" Well, that was my good deed for the next ten years," He says as he heads towards the door. Can't say manners around here have priority but I do appreciate the fact that he has saved my life, so I try not to take it personally.

" Thank you, nonetheless," He dips his head, in acknowledgement and slips out of the door.

One of the strangest conversations I've had in a while but not the worst.

Awake, I resolve to stare at the ceiling. The drip bag is still half full, and it hangs from a nail in the wall. I'm tempted to pick it up and go for a walk but I doubt Soph would approve or that I can walk.

Eventually, I'll have to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. The log cabin holds two beds, a couple of hooks next to the door, and a small table in the corner, and that is pretty much it.

The door swings open and Soph marches in, equipped to go to war. She is wearing a thick jacket, wellies, and waterproof trousers. Her nose is red, and so are her cheeks, and judging by the sudden chill she'd dragged inside, the temperature outside is not very friendly.

She rubs her hands together to chase away the chill, and finds my eyes as she slips off her jacket, " It seems that the weather has had a change of heart. It might snow, " She announces, as she begins to check the drip bag on the wall, and take notes.

" How are you feeling? Are you eatin'? That's good. Any nausea, dizziness, or vomiting?" I shake my head, as she carries on speaking, "That's great news. I'll have Abe bring some breakfast in a few hours when the coal gets here. Everybody is asleep now. All seems in good order. I'll let you get back to sleep. Did Lorin come to find you?" I nod as she slips the folder on the table, and shrugs on her jacket.

" He is a good man," She pauses there for a minute, and then adds with a chuckle," Most days anyway. I'll let you get back to it then," He finishes buttoning her jacket and heads for the door.

" Soph," I say, right as she pushes the door open," Where is the bathroom here?" It might not be much but when nature calls, I can't just go outside the door. Not with all the men roaming around.

She laughs, " Silly me. Of course. It's right outside a few yards on the left. Do you need to go?" I nod and she lets go of the door to come back inside.

She pick up the bag, and stretches her hand to me, " You know, I grew up around these parts. Not very female-friendly. I grew up mostly around boys. This is my first time going to the bathroom with a girl," She chatters as she helps me off the bed, and steadies me when my legs wobble.

" Easy there girl," She says when I almost fall back on the bed. I'm slightly mortified, and amused at the same time.

Once I'm steady on my feet she pushes a pair of wellies next to my feet. It takes a little fumbling but I manage to slip them on without incidents.

I'm still weak, weary, and lightheaded but the last one clears away pretty fast when I step outside into the fresh breeze. Soph might be right. The air smells, fresh, and clean and bites on my skin. The heavy dark grey clouds hovering over us are not a good sign. It's not uncommon so far up north to snow up until summer starts. I just hoped I'd have a chance to get home before it does.

We descend the steps painfully slow. Soph is holding my elbow but lets me do most of the work. Once we hit solid ground, she takes her hand off, but I know it is hovering in the vicinity just in case my legs decide to give up on me.

We veer left and find another log cabin, just slightly bigger, with one entry. She helps me up the steps and pushes the door open for me, to let me inside.

It's nothing fancy. It is functional. It's divided into two. On one side the are two showers, and on the other side two toilets. A man slips out of one of them and greets Soph with a tilt of his head while he eyes me for a brief second but doesn't say anything.

" Hey, Kurt. Have you met our newest member?" As expected Sophie strikes a conversation immediately.

Kurt laughs, " No. She has been hiding. It must be nice to have another girl around," He hums cheerfully to which Soph laughs.

" I have to admit that I'm enjoying a break from you lot," She chuckles on with Kurt.

" You love us. There is no point denying it. Otherwise, you'd have left a long time ago for some fancy job down south," He scoffs, " A smart girl like you," And he stops there when Soph begins to laugh.

" You're right. I would miss you boys too much," I can tell that they all get along pretty well, considering we just started a conversation in a very small bathroom.

" So, how about our mystery girl over here? Are you going to stay? Usually, people apply for this job or are born into it. They don't just show up at the site half dead," He says mirtfully but I can't summon enough strength to smile back at him.

" I think you're the first woman I've ever met that doesn't speak. I think you're marriage material," Soph slaps his shoulder playfully and they both start laughing.

" You don't think that do you?" Sophie asks. And Kurt nods.

" I do," He says somberly, and that kind off sucks the life out of the conversation.

" I should let you ladies do your business," Kurt says as he waves goodbye.

Soph pushes me towards one of the stalls, hands me the bag, and closes the door behind me.