Coexist: Keegan's Chronicles

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The next morning the sun rose, and activity could be heard throughout the camp. Tents were being taken down, and people were heading home. The family sat patiently waiting. There was no talking; no one knew what to say. Three more hours passed, and then it happened.

Opening her eyes, Keegan rubbed her face and stretched.

Thaddeus jokingly said, “Leave it to you to sleep in the day you come back to life.”

Keegan looked puzzled. Looking over at her mother, she said, “Is there anything to eat around here? I’m in the mood for bacon and eggs.” Everyone laughed, and you could feel the tension lift.

Rourk still looked concerned. “Bacon? You’re a vegetarian.”

Keegan glanced over, eyeing him speculatively. “Who are you, and why would I be a vegetarian?”

Rourk felt as if he had been stabbed through the heart. How could she not know who he was? His worst nightmare was coming true. Maybe she just needed time to adjust. “My name is Rourk. I work with your father, and your brother was one of my students.”

This seemed to bore her. She looked over at Anna’s mother, “What are you doing here?”

Jennifer stood up and walked over to her. “Your mother will explain. I am glad you are okay. If you need anything, or just want to talk, you know where to find me.” Then she was gone.

Anna’s mother was a creature of the light? Why was everyone staring at her? The tent was filled with her family members. Kat looked like she wanted to cry, and Brigid looked like she had something to say, but wasn’t sure how to say it. Even her grandmother seemed to be at a loss for words. Keegan was starting to get concerned.

Emerald wasn’t sure what to do. “Why don’t you get out of bed and come out and get something to eat? You might feel better when we are outside.”

Keegan got out of bed and wrapped her arms around herself. She was so cold. “Okay, but let me grab a sweater.”

They all walked out in silence. Keegan looked around at all the tents being removed. “What is going on? Did we win?”

Richard stepped in, “Long story short, we called a truce. The war is over.”

After taking a second to process the information, she said, “That’s good.” Her mind felt fuzzy. She figured she would feel better after some coffee and food. The bacon tasted so good she felt like she could eat a plate full. She downed three cups of coffee.

Her mother was concerned. She reached over to place a hand to Keegan’s forehead. “How are you feeling?”

Surprised, Keegan pulled away, wrinkling her nose. “I feel fine. Just a little cold and still tired. Why is everyone coddling me?”

“What is the last thing you remember about yesterday?” Emerald asked her softly.

Keegan thought that was an odd question to ask. Concentrating, she thought back. “I remember Donald almost dying and you saved him. How is he?”

Taking a deep breath, her mother moved closer and put a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “There is something we need to tell you.”

“Okay, what is going on and why is everyone acting so strangely?”

“As we were walking away from the battle after healing Donald, you were struck by an arrow.”

Snapping her head towards her mother she said, “I was what?”