adtheage1955

@@@@@Low voices began to murmur I heard footsteps as people milled and huddled to discuss the funeral I really looked at Ian for the first time as he walked back to the dark mat where it lay on the open dirt?out of place, not belongingIan's face was streaked with pale dust, his expression wearyI'd seen his face like that beforeI couldn't pinpoint the memory before Ian had laid me on the mat again, and I was distractedWhat was I supposed to do out here in the open? Sleep? Doc was right behind us; he and Ian both knelt down in the dust beside me ?How are you feeling?? Doc asked, already prodding at my side I wanted to sit up, but Ian pressed my shoulder down when I triedI think maybe I could walk?? ?No need to push itLet's give that leg a few days, okay?? Doc pulled my left eyelid up, absentminded, and shone a tiny beam of light into itMy right eye saw the bright reflection that danced across his faceHe squinted away from the light, recoiling a few inchesIan's hand on my shoulder didn't flinchThat doesn't help a diagnosis, does it? How does your head feel?? Doc askedI think it's the drugs you gave me, though, not the woundI don't like them?I'd rather feel the pain, I think ?I'm going to have to put you under again, Wanda ?But? why?? I whispered?I'm really not that hurtI don't want ?? ?We have to take you back inside,? Ian said, cutting me off, his voice low, as if he didn't want it to carry back to the othersI could hear the voices behind us, echoing quietly off the rocks ?We promised? that you wouldn't be conscious ?Blindfold me again Doc pulled the little syringe from his po