[Sun_Sparkz]

I went and sat down next to Fred. He sat staring at his hands that were once the pillar safety and reliance for a child no longer of this world. He didnt even cry he was that shocked, his skin felt cold to the touch as i reach out and take one of those hands in mine. I give him a smile, strong enough to let him know that i am here for him, yet weak enough that he can see the need in my face. The need for him to continue helping me, helping us all. he has to keep it together, we all have to keep it together.

he lets me hold his hand for some time, we dont say anything just sitting in solemn silence and, i like to think, tunneling our energy to the memory and peaceful rest of the little girl we were never fortunate enough to get to know.

After a time he pulls his hand away and turns toward the window, so i leave him alone in his thoughts. I move toward the back of the bus and sit alongside Aarons sleeping body. I watch him intently, its such a twist to see his bones lay so still, and his lungs but only breathe.

there is a little saliva leaking from one corner of his mouth, i pull up a corner of a blanket and gently wipe his face. I Smile as i think of how he would react if he conciously caught me doing this! Vark is watching me as i tend to Aaron, I can never tell the myriad of thoughts that may be lurking behind her eyes, she looks tired. I gather one of the blankets and motion toward her offering the blanket. Without expression she shakes her head and moves her gaze out the window. I refold the blanket and place with the other spare next to Aarons seat.

I rest my head against the metal bar on the rear of the seat, at every bump on the road below it hits my temple. Bump. Bump. Bump. It hurts. It feels good. I know i am still alive, despite what the rest of my body tells me.