The Darkest Night (Surviving the Fall 7)

Chapter 9

The Water’s Homestead

Outside Ellisville, VA

Dianne awoke with a groan, waving a hand in front of her eyes to try and block out the light. As her vision became clear she realized she was lying on her side on the couch in the living room, a light blanket draped over her and the wooden covering for the back door open. Her feet were propped up on several pillows and light was streaming in through the back window and a broad ray covered her chest, neck and most of her face. She looked around the room, trying to piece together how she got onto the couch when the events of the morning and previous night came flooding back.

Midway through the blood transfusion Dianne started to feel weak enough that she needed to sit down. After bringing her a stool Mark and Sarah had helped to keep Dianne upright until Tina was satisfied that Jason had received enough blood to give him the best possible chance at survival. With Dianne too dizzy and weak to do anything else she had gone to sleep on the couch, exhausted both from the transfusion and from the overwhelmingly intense time she and Jason had faced during their rescue of Tina.

While Dianne slept Tina, Sarah and Mark made a pallet on the floor in the dining room next to the table and gently put Jason on it to rest. Some of his color had returned as a result of the transfusion and while his breathing was still slow the bleeding had stopped and he appeared to be stable. Leaving the cleanup of the table for the next day Tina went to sleep on a separate pallet near Jason while Sarah and Mark took turns keeping watch throughout the night. Sarah never strayed too far from the dining room, keeping a concerned eye trained on her husband at all times.

“Mark?” Dianne spoke softly, her throat and lips feeling too dry and coarse to do much more than squeeze out a whisper. “Sarah?”

The sound of footsteps came from the kitchen and Josie’s smiling face came around the corner. “Mom!” The young girl ran forward and squeezed Dianne tightly before recoiling with a terrified expression. “I’m sorry! Are you okay?”

Dianne smiled and pulled her daughter in for another hug. “Of course I’m okay! You didn’t hurt me at all. I just got really tired from last night.”

“Did you help Mrs. Carson save Mr. Statler’s life last night?”

Dianne nodded and squeezed her daughter tightly. “I think so.” Dianne held Josie at arm’s length, fighting to keep tears from forming in her eyes. “Now where are your brothers? And everyone else, for that matter?”

“Mark and Jacob are outside with Mrs. Carson showing her around. I think Mrs. Statler’s in the dining room with Mr. Statler, but she’s probably taking a nap. You want me to go wake her up?”

Dianne shook her head. “Nah. She could probably use the sleep after dealing with you three while Mr. Statler and I were out. Tell you what, though. I could use something to drink. Could you get me some water and something to eat, too?”

“Sure!” Josie bounded off into the kitchen while Dianne rose to her feet. Talking to her daughter had made her temporarily forget about the condition of her mouth and throat, but she quickly rediscovered the dryness as she slowly shuffled toward the kitchen. She felt weak all over her body and her head hurt but she continued on, heading into the dining room to check on Jason.

The dining room table—parts of which were stained a dark crimson red—had been pushed to one side. Jason was resting on his back up against the wall while Sarah was on her side next to him, her hand resting on his hip. They both appeared to be sleeping and Dianne eased down onto the floor near Jason’s head and whispered in his ear.

“Hey. You still alive?” Jason’s eyes slowly opened, proving Dianne’s hunch right. Jason swallowed hard and nodded slowly, whispered so as to not wake up Sarah.

“I think so. It hurts like the dickens, though, so I’m not too sure.”

Dianne smiled and nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. Just stay still and rest some more. We’ll get some food in you here soon.”

Jason nodded again and closed his eyes, returning to a state of pain and restlessness that was keeping him from fully falling asleep. Dianne stood back up and headed back into the kitchen, fighting against the urge to fall over with every step. She sat down at the kitchen table and smiled at Josie as the young girl brought over a glass of water and a plate with a few pieces of toast with butter, some crackers and a bowl of canned fruit.

“Mrs. Carson said you should have plain toast for your first meal along with a vitamin. Just until you start feeling a little bit better.”

Dianne nodded sagely and took a bite and a sip of water. She quickly found that there was a raging appetite beneath the dizziness and exhaustion and finished the toast in another few bites. “That was fantastic. Got any more?”

/> Josie shook her head. “She said just one piece.”

“That’s exactly right. Just one piece for now. You can have more in a bit.” The back door slid open and Tina poked her head in, jumping into the conversation before Dianne had a chance to reply.

Dianne turned in her chair and smiled at Tina as the older woman stepped inside, taking her shoes off at the door. She was dressed in somewhat ill-fitting clothing that looked like a combination from both Dianne’s and Sarah’s closets. Tina caught Dianne looking at her outfit and gestured to it, rolling her eyes and throwing her arms into the air. “Yes, yes, I know. I look ridiculous.”

“No,” Dianne said, shaking her head, “I was just thinking how much better that looks than that ratty pink bathrobe and slippers you were in.”

“Your shoes are a bit large but it’s nice to have socks on, I will say.” Tina smiled and walked over to the kitchen table as Mark and Jacob looked in and waved at their mother.

“Hey mom! We showed Mrs. Carson all around. We’re gonna go make sure everything’s fed, okay?”

“Take Josie with you, will you? And stay safe out there. Keep the noise levels down. Any sign of something strange and you two head back.”

Both boys nodded as Josie grabbed her jacket and ran out back with her brothers. Jacob closed the door before they ran back down the steps of the back porch, heading for the barns. Tina reached down and picked up a small plastic pail off of the floor that she had been carrying and placed it onto the table. “You guys have a lot of chickens. Also, we have more eggs if anyone wants any.”

“Tina.” Dianne put her hand on Tina’s and spoke softly. “What happened? Where’s Dave?”