a little disoriented at first, then turns toward the balcony.
And she smiles.
Oh God, what I wouldn’t give for that smile to never fade. She tries to sit up, but it’s clear she’s still tired.
“Whoa, take it easy.” I tell her, not wanting her to exert herself.
She manages to lift her hand up to the balcony, and I place my hand on her massive finger. She can’t possibly feel it, but she smiles anyway. For a moment, we just smile at each other.
“What time is it?” She asks me, and it sends shivers up my spine. The vibrations of her vocal chords are akin to a rocket engine, but her voice is weak today.
“It’s a little past eight. You’ve been out a good five hours.”
“I’m really sore.” She arches her back.
“I’ll bet. That overgrown salamander roughed you up a bit.”
“Yeah, didn’t think he’d be that tough.”
“You roasted him pretty good, anyway.” She looks up toward the ceiling.
“I bet Cullen’s pretty mad at me.”
“Nah, he was just worried about you. We all were.”
“What was the damage this time?”
“Aw come on, you know you can’t think about that. Some people got hurt, yeah, but that’s what happens in war, right?”
She stays quiet.
“Look, you saved a lot of people today. It would’ve been a lot worse if you hadn’t…”
“It happened again.” She cuts me off. “I went out of control.”
“That…that was just…”
“They had to ice me again.”
“It’s not your fault.” I tell her, and she laughs. But it’s not the kind of laugh I want to hear.
“No, it’s just the way it is when you’ve got an atomic bomb for a heart. Who knows when I’ll finally blow? When I’ll become one of them.”
“Don’t…don’t say that! You’re not a…” I stop myself. I can’t say that, not to her.
“Yes I am,” she says, “I’m just a monster that fights other monsters.”
“You’re a hero!”
“Ricky…”
“You are! Your mom and grandma too, all of you, I don’t care what anybody says! You’re my hero!”
“Ricky…” She looks at me with eyes so weary I think I might cry, because they don’t have the strength to.
“I’m tired, Ricky.” Her hand falls away. I reach out, but then lower my arm.
“Right, okay,” I get the message, “You rest, you’ve earned it. I’ll…I’ll see you in the morning, yeah?”
“Yeah,” she replies, leans back in her chair and closes her eyes.
I switch the mike off, but I don’t put it down. I’ve still got some things I have to say. I hold the mike to my mouth.
“I love you.” I say, but she can’t hear me. “You call yourself a monster, but you’re the most amazing person I’ve ever known. No one else could do what you do; no one else has the strength. Here you are, born with the weight of the world on your shoulders, our one and only hope for survival. And every day you stand up and accept that burden, you choose to go out there, and fight those monsters, and all I can do…” a hot tear rolls down my cheek,
“All I can do is watch. But when I look at you…when I see you walk toward those monsters, even though you’re alone and afraid, you do it anyway and that…”
The words get caught in my throat, but I have to say them.
“That’s why I love you, Jenny. You take all that punishment, all that abuse, all that hatred…and you do it anyway. I see that strength, and I think…how could I do anything but love you? How could I not? You’re an angel, Jenny. You’re my atomic angel, and I’ll always love you. Always.”
The mike falls from my hand, clattering to the floor. I wipe the tears from my eyes, trying to see past the blur. Jenny’s eyes are still closed. I smile at her.
“Good night,” I say with a sniff, and leave the med-bay. I almost don’t see General Cullen standing in the clinic before I pass him.
“Oh, General, sir.” I start to salute but he puts a hand on my shoulder.
“At ease, Barnes.” He says.
“Just tucking Jenny in for the night.” I say, still sniffling. He walks past me toward the observation deck. He stands there a moment, looking at her.
“You know,” he says, “I’m sure she’d like to hear all of that, someday.”
I turn away, embarrassed.
“And you may want to tell her soon.”
A cold chill breaks over me. Why soon?
“Take it from an old veteran, son, you may not always have the chance…before they’re gone.”
We stand there in silence for a long time.
“I will, sir. I promise.”
“I hope you do. Good night, Ricky.”
“Good night, sir.” I leave him there with her and head back to my quarters, but my heart never leaves that room. To the rest of the world she’s the Atomic Woman, a time bomb counting down to disaster. But to me, she will always be Jenny, the atomic angel that stole my heart.
About the Author:
Gabriel Miller writes stories and is very good at it. He has been writing since Middle School and has completed many novels, short stories and scripts since then. He considers a good story the best thing in the world and wants to tell as many as he can. He has worked in many media and genres, writing science fiction, fantasy, comedy, tragedy, horror, mystery, and romance, for books, television, video games, movies, magazines and comic books. When not writing, he likes to act and performs in the Drama Ministry at his church.
He was born in Maryland, but grew up in Madisonville, KY before moving to Tempe, AZ to attend the University of Advancing Computer Technology for a degree in game design. He then published his first novel, Nova Diem: The New Dawn before moving to Statesboro, GA and earned a BA in Creative Writing from Full Sail University. He enjoys watching cartoons and playing tabletop RPGs.
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