Bad News From The Zones, Tumbleweeds

Ghoul’s POV
Two nights later…..Poison is sketching while Star and I are going over some of the baby notes and Dr. D is on the radio.

Some Good News from the City
We in the Zones are getting reports that there were explosions in Battery City, the tablet factories have been blown up. Some distribution centers still have supplies and BLI is scrambling to get production back up but some areas of the city are experiencing shortages and people are going through withdrawals. I’m told that at each scene graffiti tags give credit to Jet-Star and Kobra Kid. Nice job Killjoys! Maybe things are starting to turn our way.

FG What did you do?
PP How did you?
OC I thought we agreed to leave it.
FG I don’t think we can let this go Star.
PP You could’ve been killed. I’m still not sure how you got in the city.
OC I promise to tell you everything someday but not till the baby comes. Okay?
FG I don’t like it.
PP Me either, but okay.
OC Besides, I’m not sure if it’s gonna do any good. Korse will just make more factories.
FG But if the people are coming off the tablets, they may not be so eager to become zombies again.
OC I guess we can hope. I really thought it’d make a difference but now, I don’t know.
PP I want to hear the story though, when the baby comes we need to have a long talk.
OC Agreed.
FG Look I found something here saying a water birth is a good way to give birth at home.
PP Really? Water?
OC Yeah I saw that, looks interesting.
PP Oh My God
FG What?
PP We’ve got to make a nursery. I can paint it and make it so colorful.
OC That, that would be nice Poison.
PP It’ll be nice having a baby around. I remember when Mikey-
Poison stops for a moment and fights back tears. I can see them in his eyes.
FG its okay Babe. You okay?
PP I remember when Mikey was born. I mean I was what? Three and a half but he was so little…
He trails off, not finishing his thought. Before I can get to my feet, Star is next to him and pulling him into a hug.
OC I’m sorry.
PP It’s not your fault. Okay? Really, I don’t blame you. Don’t blame yourself.
I’m touched by their display of affection and I’m proud of Poison for reassuring Star. I can’t help but feel left out a little. As if Star is reading my mind she looks to me.
OC Come on Ghoul, get in on this hug.
Poison laughs and nods. I join the hug.
PP Family hug!
We all laugh and wipe away the tears.

Original Character’s POV
After the hug, I return to the papers spread out on the floor. I’ve been eating more often and the morning sickness is better. I don‘t really sleep though. Nightmares. But I’m trying to focus on the baby and the good that’s coming.
OC I think I’m going to try to take a nap.
FG Yeah that’s a good idea, it says you need more rest in these first few months.
PP Look at you, all encyclopedia on babies. I’m so proud.


DREAM
I’m with Jet. We are happy and laughing, I don’t know where we are but it’s sunny and beautiful. Green grass, trees, a light breeze blowing and we are lying on a blanket under the tree watching the clouds. Jet is talking, ‘A baby? I’m so happy. I can watch it grow. I’m so glad you are with Poison and Ghoul; they will take care of you. Star, you have made me so happy. I love you. Please don’t ever forget it.’ I smile and kiss him. His full lips, the way he holds my head while we kiss. I miss you I say when we part. Suddenly the sky turns dark and there is lightening in the sky. He stands and his expression changes from love to anger and hate. ‘YOU’RE CLERIC? HOW COULD YOUDO THIS TO ME? TO US? YOU LIED, YOU LIED TO ME. WHY?! No I reply. I mean yes but I’m not Cleric anymore, I changed. I changed because of you Jet. Please I love you. I reach for him and he jerks away and steps back. His gun in his hand, aimed at me. Jet please, I beg him. Please you have to understand. ‘Oh I understand. You lied to me, to all of us and you killed me. YOU KILLED ME AND KID – I HATE YOU!
NO, Please NO. Jet steps away from me and pulls the trigger and I wake up screaming NOOOO!

PP Hey wake up it’s a dream.
FG Star? You are safe.
OC He, he killed me.
PP What?
FG Who?
OC Jet, he hates me. He shot me.
PP It was just a dream Star. You are safe.
FG It’s just the hormones, it wasn’t real.
OC Please just leave me be.
PP Are you sure?
FG Okay, we’ll be in the living room.
PP Try to rest.
They leave and I cry into Jet’s pillow. How can I go on like this? The guilt is crushing me. I can’t tell them yet. I’m not ready but I have to get the truth out.

Notes