Upon Us by Blakely Chorpenning

Author:Blakely Chorpenning [Chorpenning, Blakely]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780984701094
Published: 2019-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

"Where's Ren?" I asked.

"The hospital. We'll be there in a few minutes," Graham assured me.

The modest homes were less elaborate than I'd imagined. I always thought they would be grotesque in size, decorated in colorful paint and expensive ornaments. But these were brick squares with potted planters resting on underwhelming porches. Some of the pots had cabbage, lettuce, and cucumbers winding down the stairs, while others were nothing more than exposed dirt. Candles and lanterns spotted steps and hung from hooks in doorways. None flickered, as the occupants were probably sleeping at this late hour.

I turned my attention to Graham. "Why am I here?"

His forehead crinkled. "I don't know."

"I want to see Ren."

"You will. First, we need to fix your knee. I think it's dislocated, at least partially, but I've never reset one before. The doc has to do it."

The engine cut, leaving us in silence outside of a white building. Blood red roses vied for space under the wide windows, tracing the exterior of the building like a vein.

"This is our hospital."

The redhead unlatched the tailgate and hopped out, his weight bouncing the truck bed. The slight movement awoke the pain in my leg. I braced my body as best I could until the bed stilled.

Graham had noticed. "Do you need help?"

"I can do it myself."

I gingerly scooted across the bed of the truck, remembering to grab the makeshift crutches. As my legs dropped off the back, I tensed, holding my breath, before landing on my healthy leg. The crutches did their part, cushioning my weight as I stood.

"Ta-da!" I squeaked. After a moment of recovery, I shuffled towards the smooth wooden door of the white building.

Graham looked dismayed. "Ren is the most stubborn human being I know. I didn't think there was room in the world for one more, but you're proving me wrong."

"When they turned off the world, four billion people died in the first two years. There's always room for one more."

"You are…intense."

"Okay," I said nonchalantly, "Let's look in on asshole number one before two gets her checkup."

"That's not what I meant," he stammered. "I'm sorry if I offended you."

I hobbled up the front steps. "I was joking." The wear from the trip was apparent in my voice, even as my tone was light.

"You are quite different." He looked at the ground, trying to hide his smile. "Ren must be infatuated with you."

"Not in the least," I protested. "That's not a thing."

It was his turn to say, "Okay," like he didn't believe me in the least.

As we reached the door, he opened it, ushering me inside. The interior walls were just as white as the exterior. The entire building was so clean, it called to the surrounding homes like a beacon. Maybe that was the point.

"Down this hall," Graham motioned.

I followed him to the left, down a long stretch of more white emptiness flickering under the thumb of lantern flames lining the walls. Was this what it was like to die and slough off the

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