“The world is plagued but not by death and disease. Say what comes to mind when you hear the words 'Pagan, Infidel, Heathen' to whom do you believe I refer!” The Good Doctor
Chapter 20: Growing Concern
Gatarn Thee Admissible
“Watch your tongue! The only reason you're allowed in this here meeting room is out of respect for that damn four-armed Demi-God of yours! Everyone here knows that you are a joke, no better than a Stone!!!” Slamming his Metherine mug on a grande long table and spilling the finest brew of Fallorven beer, Vargus Galloglass had finally said what was eating at his parochial mind.
'Drivel from swine, least the beast spit venom,' thought a man of herculean stature sitting at the lesser opposite end of the table letting words go in one ear. Against malevolent judgment, this man had failed to garner allies in the current minor court. A minor court of reprehensible men some merchants, and others portraying Fallohum's distilled flavors of nobility.
'All for the Machiavellian King, every flavor and fascet selected from Fallohum's cities.' GRRRRRRRRRRRRR! A stomach bellowed amongst court anarchy.
“SILENCE!!!” The king shouted as silence fell, keeping the miniature wolves at bay. Mindel the proverbial King of the Mountain beckoned his Chief Scout to continue a report on his brutally cold and unforgiving domain.
“Sire, we report a drastic decrease in region wildlife food is becoming scarce, trade routes are frozen over, and Travelers en route to Fallohar have dwindled considerably, just in the past month. The weather has only worsened not a single merchant, mercenary, or adventurer has arrived as of late.”
“GET TO THE POINT!” How loud, Mouse would be ashamed of what his brat has turned into, what he's turned this kingdom into. If it wasn't for those big ears and the carrot top, I wouldn't believe that they were related. Impatient, callous, Impulsive, and unfit to be a King. The little mouse has raised a Skeever.
“Yes, sire! no traveler, no cargo, no cargo means no goods, no goods, no food, and no food puts the Kingdom's livelihood in danger. The citizens won't be able to survive without sustenance shortages have arisen and that's not even the worst of our problems. The city guards have spotted a beast meters away from the city gates."
"Runes and wards, wards and swords, "it is almost time.
"Beasts, Why am I now hearing of this? Whose job was it to keep this information on the hush? If Galloglass and Gatarn are freely placing their opinions at the table on the subject matter 'IN FRONT OF MY FUCKING FACE!!!' While I remain blissfully unaware of the city's declining state this must be public knowledge. ” Would you look at that, a Rat has a brain?
“No, my lord the information hasn’t reached the public Sir Galloglass and Mr. Gatarn both hold High positions in Fallohum society, I assume they have their fingers on the city's pulse. It's crucial in maintaining the areas they reside in, it’s the smart thing to do my lord. It's their job to know these things.”
“So, you're calling me a dimwit Boy I’ve heard enough from you!” your king sure has a way with words now shall we get down to business.
“I didn’t say you could leave Chief Scout.” A king who demands loyalty from a forgotten city, how funny.
“Yes, Sire.” Chief Scout my ass I smell a lackey from a mile away. It's all so laughable.
“Thirteen men sit at this table." Thirteen men, "Three! My most trusted advisers and no one has debriefed me on the current state of the outer city, the very edge of my Kingdom! WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELVES!!!” Two heads should roll little Rat what will you do? Don't forget to cover up your tracks.
Silence takes hold of the meeting room and the three buffoons struggle to meet each other's gazes, for neither wants to take the rightful blame for the potential fall of this fine Dwarven kingdom. Although, most of it. All of it there's the King Rat himself to blame.
“ANY SOLUTIONS!!!” That’s right little Rat, you show them take charge.
A farce, what will become of my city? Gatarn now's the time to speak up before Glass cock opens his trout.
“King Mindel," Never bow, demand attention stand strong, "A pleasure to meet everyone. Gatarn thee Admissible at your service, the current acting adventures Guild leader residing mainly in Fallohar city, I believe we’ve been acquainted. Before your moving words, I was having a disagreement with Vargus Galloglass on a solution." Wait, let the Rat take the bait. 'One, two.' and the rat bites on three.
"And what solution did Sir Galloglass have in mind?" and we may have ourselves a King just yet.
"Am egregious solution that proved many, many years back to result in revolution. You see starving citizens become angry citizens; anger leads to an uprising. Before Vargus’s outburst, this is what I was trying to get across. By the way, you would do well in seeking new retainers.” I’ve said my peace now to wait. Perhaps I've said too much.
“Thank you Gatarn for your wise, opinion. It has piqued my interest. What do you say caused the previous food shortage and how was the instance relieved?” That's a good Rat, learn from the past, let it bring us a present.
“King, the land won't be getting warmer anytime soon. We live in a land unforgiving unlike yourself. And over the decades surely you have come to know this as truth. If only our domain could be tamed." Eh, Cartwheels for a rat.
"Gatarn! The solution," My solution.
"The Courteous, wise despite name chose to take sustenance by slaying beasts. But that serves to be another problem this time around. There's been a disappearance of wildlife, following the lower-tier Beasts that come with it." The mind has been stretched and strained, I need to progress.
“Thank you Gatarn you have been of great use. Anyone else with ideas and solutions that won’t lead to rebellion.” Trying to play the good king won't get you far. Be a Rat maybe then you'd have a chance to bite off a leg.
Silence, silence, and more silence I guess all kingdoms have to fall sometime. And in come's the Holder, someone with an idea. An Idea, moronic as the last. If only the Rats didn’t look so conniving, politics have changed the hearty-handed fellow.
“My lord if I Codington Hearthstone would be allowed to speak, may I suggest unsealing Fallohum's Dungeon." Cheese and Red wine, a Rat whose eyes and ears are lead by bursting stomachs. "We use the Dungeons Spawn as a proper food source.” Something’s off here it’s like they want this kingdom to meet an unwelcome end. Say it isn't so.
I speak words, just words to draw a line. A line, that these worms were jumping to cross. If only they would realize that the dirt they play in happens to be a grave. And then it is time to take my stand. “That’s a terrible idea! The dungeon has been sealed for a reason the Spawn proves to be incredibly high level, and the dungeon itself is most mysterious, the floors are- Elusive! This is exactly why Mindel the first sealed it off !” This is a shit show, it's like they want this kingdom to meet a disastrous end.
“Any other, ideas!?” the Rat spoke. So loud, the Incompetent King has a ring to it.
'Wait, is he going to shut the proposal down?' Red Rat, maybe you're not so bad after all. Opening Fallohum's Dungeon would be suicide for all who entered. This city wouldn't survive a dungeon break of that level. Who knows what the Depths would bring about?
I may be a Demi-God in Title. But it's nothing more than a pretense women and men have granted me. A pretense, for the Half human they pretend me to be. This Mountain is of many, the Dwarves were crafty and capable enough to seal off the dungeon growing under Fallohum. And here "we" are trying to open it back up. I can practically hold back my elation. To seal off a dungeon located on a mountain of all places. A technique sought by many and found by none, not even me, and I'm presumably the longest living in the city. 'The longest-living mud blood that is.' Minus the old bitch.
What should I do? Why did I take root here in this Cesspool? Mana, yes, mana, the mountains are connected to Candralt's veiny tit. The spawn suckles the mana rich with nutrients I want my fill. I will have my fill! No one’s going to get in my way, not the Rat, the mouse, or the guild sucking on my cock.
Pathetic! “Gatarn the Admissible” Insects should be squashed before they swarm Dwarven, Kin, and humans alike, even insects and Elves have their use.
“A hive orderly, efficient, productive.” Such good times in the elven lands, during ancient times.
“The Dwarves of old, sacred oaths, ancient armors, forbidden weapons of mass destruction.” Words that caught my ear long ago, with mana to lure me to the city gates.
"Gatarn" I had made my way to the mountains. Mountains that were said to "Whisper of a Mother's will."
"Gatarn" What did I find? A trail of crumbs leading to a cake not even I could swallow in one bite. I waited, and the cakes only got sweeter. In time productivity decreased and quality took its place the Dwarves and their masterpieces forged in Mothers' milk, weapons envied by Gods and true Demi-Gods alike.
“Patience is key,” it always has been, and it always will be. Yes, “Gatarn the Admissible”, a name gifted by the naïve mouse to be King. Father of the Rat who still breathes. Be patient, Geatran you are the son of the Demigod, and you will ascend. The mana empowers, and soon the dungeon will weaken the prey that has lost its way.
"Guild master Gatarn?" A once magnificent hive will fall to ruin and the cake will be yours in the end. The blood of fools the Icing that makes it all the more worth it.
"She promised," Why would she lie? "Weak and conniving grandchild of mine, greed clouds the mind, power corrupts the unworthy, and time gives birth to possibility this is my gift to you. Greatness flows in you, it wishes to blossom like it once did in me. Do with my words what you will Geatran you are my chosen, be wary of- Candralt's power for she seeks to bind, that is all I can depart with you.” Yes, Goddess Odessa I will heed your words of wisdom and take what is rightfully mine. The city will fall soon. Insects should be squashed. It is always best to harvest creatures of stability and structure. Rodents are to be exterminated. They will grow, swarm, and self-destruct volatile from birth until death.
"Gatarn," Little Incompetent King I see you, the Kingdom has a growing Rat problem, a problem that is none of my concern.
"Guild Leader Gatarn, what are we going to do?" An insect keeps buzzing in my ear. I hate it when they do that.
“Then it's settled, you useless men were unable to come up with a better plan than opening The Dungeon of Fallohum so that's exactly what we will do. Resources are to be harvested, they will be crucial in the kingdom's survival, just think of the benefits of mana- Rich ore, experience points, and let’s not forget last but not least monster meat to solve the hunger problem. Gatarn you are a dear friend of my long-lost Fathers so it is you I trust most with this grievous task may the Adventurers Hall aid us in our time of need. A Dungeon is still a dungeon after all! The Kingdom of Fallohar will supply you with the much-needed equipment and funds to endure. I hereby Decree that all capable bodies found in the Adventurers Hall and the other neighboring guilds be put to work exploring the depths of Fallohar's Dungeon; those who do not comply will have their citizenship revoked! Best of luck to you!!!” The Incompetent king had become greedy and that is no surprise.
'It would be typical of me to burst into outrage, but I won't. Indignity is still dignity of a sort.' while there’s a chance let's sweeten the incompetent king's deal of death and take advantage of the Rat's ultimatum. Adding the blood of the foolish to the mix. I can find no greater bargain. I was holding back a sly gray grin. I had nothing to lose. The Dwarven rats are prey, and they see me as nothing but a Human of substantial height and gray skin.
I am but a wee mouse trapped on all sides. Why would I not mutter words to stroke a pint-sized ego.?“King Mindel, you can't expect adventurers and mercenaries to act without incentive. The Kin and folk would rather die than work for free. Inco- King you also forget that the majority are Kin able to withstand the cold that lies outside these walls, even I know that. Time and effort have to be taken into account when posting a five-star bounty like this. This a dangerous commission for us all. Relaxation and rewards are our fuel, Adventurers don’t have a home here never did we believe so, men are moved by money you must take that into account.” I'm the greatest wait until the mouse gets word of this.
King Rat was thinking of a way to lessen the rewards. But having so little to offer only gold could serve. Mindel had already promised weapons and armor in his words “Support” Now he had to allow room for recovery. Recovery required time and time wasn't on his side. Thus, putting the Adventurers in the situation, they would always be in, allowing only room for monetary gain and necessary rest.
“FINE!!!” the incompetent king yelled, another sign of his foolishness and youth.
“Each Adventurer will be paid an extra three silvers for all monster corpses recovered in the finest condition. An extra five for those monsters suitable for the highest of nobility." Eight silvers in total, not bad. "All Outsiders- Adventurers and Mercenaries will set up camp outside of the dungeon taking the burden off of city guards in the case of a dungeon break or anomalies. The decree will stand! Meeting Disbanded!”
My job here was done, and so was Lackeys from the sound of it.
"Chief Scout, I don’t recall assigning you such a position. When you find your former, tell him to find me Immediately! Prove to be of use." That’s too bad. I expected banter and blood, a head or two rolling on the floor. The Mouse at least lived up to his Title.
"Silly Rat."
King Rat has suffered a loss and the final blow would be the Dungeon break. A high-level Dungeon under Fallohum is bound to break open.
Inevitable but by then I'll be ready to claim my tools for ascension wherever they may hide in the palace.
*Ping!* Skill [Kingdoms Fall] is at Max!
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“Excellent,” slipped out of my mouth as I exited the chamber sullying my gray skin. My ascension is near I could taste it. I can feel it in my bones. Patience, Gea- Gatarn they will all know your name. I will be the first to be mentioned by all in two millenniums. This pitiful planet will shout of Geatran the Conqueror!!!
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Chapter 20: Growing Concern (Part II)
Elijah Lee Ce Raphil
She calls and I answer. I will always answer. But when she calls crying Wolf, who am I to believe? I believe her, and when she can't believe in herself. I believe in him.
Thirty minutes since my daughter called, her panicked ragged breath barely able to tell me what was wrong. Did I even ask her what was wrong? Something was wrong why would I need to ask? She went on whispering about a red fox, chasing her, hunting her. Was I to believe my daughter? "Hell no." She's a kid, kids imagine things. And to make matters worse she's my kid, there's no way she would have an imagination like the rest. I tried keeping her on the line, to keep her calm, I couldn't have my daughter at some school on the ground gasping for air.
She hung up, "Fuck!" And that's when the scar started tingling. Getting my fat ass off of her bed I tried to make it out of her bedroom. I couldn't even do that before throwing up all over Adena’s wooden engraved door.
"Shit," that’s not what's important. I heaved myself off of the wooden floor trying not to have another unintended conference with the floor polish.
limping like a damn dog trying not to lose my breath, completely forgetting that I could’ve called Adousa on his cellphone. If one knight wouldn't get to her in time another would, I couldn't let that happen again. So I called him helpless on the floor covered in my vomit.
I wished that I could skip over those vows. I fucking despised being sick in bed these couple of months, bedridden and sexless I could just die already, "Fucking hell" and the depression, My kids, my kid!
Besides the lack of movement as I lay there on the walkway floor catching my breath like a distant daughter of mine. I had missed my Boy and I was being forced to let go of my girl.
“Who the hell wants to go to High School!!!” The worst idea he's ever had. But I listen, mine never did so, I try. And we've hit the thirty-minute mark. Sad, how I would rather lay here than let anyone see me like this.
"STOP, DROP, SHUT 'EM DOWN, OPEN UP-" Fuck I need to change my ringtone, Opening my eyes I answer my phone and consider saving my voice but, no I overdo it.
Adousa had called me back at the scene of the crime. The man was as cool as a cucumber. The bullshit dripping out of his mouth made me even more sick. I was sick and tired of him checking up on me, sick and tired of him acting all loving and warm, and I was sick and tired of him acting like everything was fine when everything wasn't fine. 'Why God, why did I marry him!?'
“Why the hell aren't you worried, our kids have gone missing!!!!!” I admit it, this is what I liked about him staying calm in certain situations, but this right here was silence amid the storm if there was a time to act like you didn't care about something, someone, anyone! It wouldn't be now. It sucked being alone like this. Bedridden, unable to be where I needed to be. But this was unbearable, why can't I just shake things off like him?
He hung up by the way. "Fuck him."
Making my way back to the Child's room I got myself straight and cleaned up the mess. Took forever, but I knew how to get rid of the smell and clean myself up.
"That's right distract yourself, let him take care of it" I sat on the couch not giving a damn about where that Man's assistants have run off to. I was tired and worn out. My knees hurt, the incision burned, my eyes burned, and I was drained not in a good way.
It hurts to think, and that calls for Reality TV. I turned on the living room flatscreen and started turning the channels, ignoring my other baby who I couldn't even bear to look at.
"Tuh, this was all her fault." I was so young back then, young, wild, and dumb.
“Breaking News!!!” Would you look at that? I'm not the slightest bit surprised.
“A terrorist attack has taken place at Chicago High School For-" Nosense, I honestly can't afford for my mood to be brought anymore lower.
"Damn the news," Amen, to that. Changing the channel finding it harder and harder to escape my Reality. Channel 9, down to Channel 7, and I was back on another God-forsaken news channel.
"Reports of an explosive or a furnace malfunction the cause is yet to be determined and quite unclear. As you can see we are on the scene-" Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuuuuuuuuck!!!
"You've heard us right, The death of over five hundred students and over half the school's teaching staff. The toll has only risen as it has been an estimated hour since the start of the crime. The scene is still under investigation. We will follow up on this report as soon as new information is released. But for now, let's hear from witnesses at the forefront of-" Turning off the TV I called for water trying to keep calm.
"Remain calm" Wobbling to the bathroom and lying on the floor. I felt numb. The only indication that they were still alive was the pain in my stomach. I wish it was hunger. I would've preferred it to be hunger.
Anything other than the stabbing pain in my gut that made me want to almost shit myself. Ever since that day my body, Ugh forget-
Luckily the toilet was nearby, somehow I found myself back in my bedroom. Don't question it. From there I threw up into the toilet that I had just flushed, as if I was being rung out like a towel.
Hours of this on repeat drinking cold water from the shower as it rained down on my boiling body. I lay there on the floor grinning and crying covered in water completely naked. It didn't matter if I felt like I was being set on fire, burned alive, or trapped in some sick and shitty cycle of pain.
I'm not a nympho but somewhere lying under the cold shower I started to laugh. It was insanity. Covid didn't cause my scar to hurt, it caused a couple of important organs to shut down.
This was the call of my life, my love. My kids were alive, and I'd endure for them. I'd answer it, I can handle pain.
It had to be a sign. "They can't be dead, they can't be." My body undoing itself was just an obstacle. Adena and Adonin were my rewards, two beautiful babies living and breathing.
Ignore the possibility of them being in pain, of them being blown into smithereens, let them get kidnapped, anything but that-
Time passed and I had outlasted, almost cracking my white teeth.
Adousa had found me lying on my side, shivering and crying still boiling alive. Steam rose off of my body from the cold shower that rained down.
I married a weird man. Adousa had stripped to his birthday suit. As I looked at his fuzzy watery figure in the door frame, I was disgusted by him.
He did this to me sometimes he just made me sick. Our lives always just felt like a beginning that would never end. There was no way I was letting myself die.
My kids were going to live “no matter what” Nothing mattered more than this.
The hairy mild-mannered man got into the shower and lay down with me, hugging my body while I was in a fetal position, Adousa had wrapped his body around mine trying to shield me from the gut-wrenching burn coming from my stomach. The man was being no help. At all!!! His body was hot, and that's what I hated most about him these months.
Then the words of discontent oozed out of my mouth while he had his face next to mine.
“I Hate you” Those three words were on repeat for some time while Adousa's stark naked and cold was pressed against mine.
“I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!” Flaming words leaving my burning body directed towards a Cold-hearted man.
He had said two words and I fell into the sound of his voice. What the hell was wrong with me? Adousa kissed my ear and whispered, “I'm sorry”, becoming even colder.
The man's words had sincerity and love. I knew this from experience.
I have experienced every aspect of his “cold and uncaring”. He cared for no one other than me but sometimes even that felt like a lie.
A man burdened with secrets. Rarely did he show how cold and uncaring he could be. “What truly lies in his heart?” I wouldn't ask because I knew the answer.
He’s empty, it's the way he’s always been. Gritting my teeth I struggled to stay awake. I still couldn't control my body movements or the fissure of pain in my stomach, the tears coming from my eyes.
He whispered again like he wasn't even there, just a cold blanket over my skin, hands interlocked with mine. “I'm sorry” he whispered. Hearing his words I closed my eyes trying to ride out the pain.
Lying in his arms he said, “I love you." I'd never felt number to his words. A feeling he could only invoke had already washed over me.
To describe the affliction, I felt for my husband. “Nobody, no mind, no thoughts, no feelings, no life to live.” This is the tip of the numbness that washes over me.
I loved it, I longed for it.
The very pit of my soul was burning at the moment. A moment that couldn't last because he had spoken.
"I love you," Adousa whispered again. I couldn't recall when I had been cooled by Nothing and its endless embrace. I spoke without any intention to apologize or reconcile for my actions over the past few moments.
I whispered “I love you” into the void and with my eyes closed, I drifted into a dreamless sleep. Adousa had kept me in his arms as the water poured down on us. He knew that I was lost in thought at the moment, but he took my words to heart as I spoke from my very soul towards whatever had overridden the pain. Adousa was there by my side, the hours of burning that may have passed by were only his to remember. He had only one response to hang onto as he held me in his embrace. Even when my skin burned to the touch. He wouldn't let go.
Flickering in and out of consciousness, deciding to live with the pain. Adousa whispered “I know," into my ears.
Time went by and the pain had died down. Adousa didn't want to wake me from the peace I had found in his arms, but the pain had faded.
Nothing is where I found myself. I loved him for him but also for what Adousa could offer me
An emptiness, my eyes were closed, and I had lost myself in my husband's cold embrace.
I loved every second of it. Sad that I could never stay here where it was safe. I am someone who longs for more. I can't help it and right now I wanted reassurance. The only way I could get that was through pain. Pain pulled at my consciousness, as I tried to scratch open my stomach. A positive was that Adousa was still wrapping his body around me hands included.
When I woke the man had his eyes open breathing out cold air. Holding onto me for dear life and warmth. I was enduring the heat while he fought off the cold.
"Selfish," I was being selfish, letting him be reduced to this state, again. I had won my battle while Adousa on the other hand was lost in his own.
I had dug my nails into Adousa’s hands, thankfully his hands were harder than mine. It wouldn’t leave a mark.
We lay wrinkled in the shower. For some reason, I felt like I could run a marathon. It was a miracle only I remembered the aching pains and short breaths that accompanied that god damned infection.
"Kids" my babies were the only thing on my mind until I noticed his hands wrapped around mine.
Turning around Adousa hadn’t blinked, not even once.
“What the hell?” he had turned off the shower and laid right back down embracing me a while ago. How long was that?
“How long ago was that?” I said, Adousa looked to be staring into space. Trying to get up the man was clinging to me almost hurting me, but he was careful.
I’d never actually seen him like this. As I got up, he got up, but Adousa was just mirroring my movements completely.
“Adousa!” I called but he didn't answer.
'Super wrinkly,' I grabbed a dry towel and started drying myself off. Adousa on the other hand looked lost, cold, gone as if nothing was there. There was nothing behind those deep dark dark-brown eyes. It would explain the steel grip he had on my arm. Prying myself from Adousa again I turned on the hot water and washed both of us properly. His body wasn't anything I hadn't seen before.
Adousa was still acting strange, mirroring me. As I dried his hair, he dried mine. Remaining expressionless body and mind I grew concerned for him, no reaction even when I grabbed his ball sack.
I hugged him. Maybe he was in shock, it's unlikely but maybe. “Nothing,” I said talking to myself in the standing shower.
A shower now holding two bodies but one voice. A few minutes into Adousa's miming, I decided to brush both of our teeth. Minutes after that we lay in bed. I moved Adousa's body and wrapped my arms around him as he did the same to me.
He was a ghost cold to the touch. Now naked under the bedsheets I put my ear to his hairy chest wrapping my arms around him. Still no reaction.
Taking a minute to process his expressionless state. I wrapped his hands around my waist and put his head to my chest so he could hear my heartbeat and in turn his eyebrows moved. Ignoring the hunger and sound of my growling stomach. I lay in bed for about two hours with Adousa laying his head on my chest listening to the sound of my heart.
“I'm impatient man, you know this." Thinking about how sorry I was in my mind that I had to once again break the man's heart of glass. Seductively lowering my head so my lips could touch Adousa’s ear gracing his earlobe, I spoke with sincerity the same way he always did me.
“If you don’t stop doing whatever this is I’ll kill myself.” He jumped like someone had used a defibrillator. Once dilated pupils focused on those words of promise and panicked.
After a minute of silence and a drop of water. When I mistook it for a tear, Adousa came back to reality.
“Our kids are still missing,” I stated the obvious. Only for a response I had not intended to hear. “They're still alive, don't worry if Adena lives, so does the boy." The man still lay in bed exhausted and cold so I got up having to pry myself from his arms.
Without looking back, "We need to eat," I announce to the man.
After getting up and finding a cure for our empty stomachs. "I'd taken his word, as I would any day." He often lies to me but not about this, I’d trust him on this. Retrieving my phone on the kitchen counter, I noticed the dead battery.
Touching the black refrigerator behind me to get the exact time. "An entire day had passed." No, it had been two seeing the time.
That damned idiot, "Throwing some food together enough to feed two cow's I made it back to my room.
"You left me." Adousa's voice seemed monotone as he turned in bed.
After feeding both of us. I wrapped him back in my arms. Thinking about how the sickness in our marriage had trumped our health. Being the big spoon to his little spoon for what felt like a hundred years.
"Our kids better be alive." I don't need to say it. Those were my last words of the night.
"I love you too." were his.