Fallout (Crank 3)

Ringing now. Ringing? Bell. Doorbell?

Bell? I swim up into a bay of flat,

gray light. Doorbell. Who? Bryce!

He came? I jump up way too fast.

My head is so light. Did my brain

shrink? I steady myself. “Coming!”

The door is so far. Oh, God. Don’t

leave. Don’t go away. “Be right

there!” I reach for the knob, jerk

the door open. “Bryce!” But no,

he’s too tall. Too dark. Too old.

Trey. Perfect. The anti-Bryce.

Sorry. Not Bryce. Can I come in?

He doesn’t wait for an answer,

though. Just pushes on past me.

“W-wait. I’m not sure … uh …”

Not sure of what? Think, Autumn.

“Uh, Grandfather has been sick.”

That’s okay. I’m not here to see

him. I’m here to see you. We’ve

got a little catching up to do.

I follow him into the living room,

watch him flip off the TV. I start

to tell him I don’t feel so hot either,

notice I’m actually better. Strange.

I figured I’d be on my back for days,

like Grandfather, who I should tell

we’ve got a visitor. Then again,

he’s asleep and I’m a big girl.

I can handle this on my own.