End of the Line

I finished exchanging the girl’s clothing for my own. I left the girl’s clothes on the bed minus the pants. I might need them when it gets cold out. I couldn’t hope my shorts would last forever. I bent over and picked up the backpack that was now filled with more stuff than before we came here. I ambled toward the stairs feeling kind of tired with a small headache starting to form despite the good night’s sleep. I could finally sleep last night with everyone unharmed and under one roof. I put on the sweatshirt I was taking before descending the stairs.

  “Ready to go, Lauren?”

  I turned around to see Aaron heading over to me with the others. Sean and Paige were each taking a stuffed animal so they had something to play with. I started to open the door as they filed out of the house and I took one last glance around the room. With a sigh I shut the door to join them. Carefully I took my time down the set of steps. My knees felt shaky, causing me to be a little behind the others. Aaron paused as the others leisurely kept on moving. I caught up with him. Aaron gave me a weird look; there was something in his eyes that I couldn’t place.

  “Are you all right?” Aaron finally asked me with a raised eyebrow, his neck craned o that our eyes would connect.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  He just shook his head and looked straight ahead. Aaron’s eyes went to my shoulders before carefully taking the bag from me. With the weight off by back, I reached out for Sean’s free hand. Aaron swung a strap over one of his shoulders and kept walking.

  “I’m bored. Can we play a game?” inquired Sean, his little legs trying to keep up to our pace.

  I glanced down at Sean and Paige, jealous of their energy. Sean always needed something to keep him busy; the games my parents made up for car rides for him were quickly made on the spot during times of desperation.

  “Maybe later,” I answered.

  “Why not now?” he whined.

  “We have to walk again. We’re traveling right now.”

  “But that’s boring,” bellyached Sean, his shoulders rose up just to fall.

  “Lauren, when is my mommy and daddy going to come get me?” asked Paige as she held one of Sean’s hands, her stuffed animal in the other.

  I bit my bottom lip.

  “Paige, how about we think of a game to play while we are moving to our next location?” Aaron stepped in, looking down at her.

  “What kind of game?” Paige questioned, her head tilted to see him.

  “Um, I don’t know. Let’s think of one,” Aaron answered, taking hold of her wrist.

  “How about… attack the big ape?” muttered Cole.

  “Who’s the big ape?” asked Sean, looking at Cole.

  “Aaron is the big ape,” Cole retorted with a smirk on his face.

  “No, you’re monkey poop!” yelled Paige, holding her toy tight to her chest as she turned around to glare at him.

  I tried to laugh, but my head was still hurting, which was irritating my eyes and making me dizzy. To make matters worse, my stomach started to crawl up my chest. I was going to be sick. I tried to hide it all with a laugh so we could keep moving. I took a long, slow breath.

  “A baby just insulted me!” Cole shrieked.

  Aaron started to chuckle a little.

  “I’m not a baby! I’m six years old!” Paige stomped her foot.

  “Yeah, dude, get it right. Geez, what’s your problem,” Aaron joked, sarcasm that the little ones took as sincerity.

  I giggled again feeling my head become heavy as the world around me whirled. I tried to calm my breathing, but it wasn’t helping as my ears stopped picking up sound except a slight buzzing noise. Little gray dots popped up and blocked my vision. I don’t know what happened next.