Foxxe felt the soft rock and she calmed a bit. She looked up at Bridger with big, uncertain eyes. They had a twinge of fear but also some calmness. "I'm jealous of you, you lucky son of a shuck." She chuckled and wiped a tear away, drying her eye.
Slater felt just as scared as the others. He knew he shouldn't be, but Foxxe was infected. Newt, and even Agnes. He felt scared for them. With them.
Bridger laughed, a twinge of sadness and grief in his eyes. "Well, I'd trade places with ya' if I could, Foxxe. In a heartbeat." He couldn't look her in the eyes. For some unknown reason, he felt guilty. It wasn't his fault that he was immune and Foxxe was not, but he felt guilty.
Lila closed her eyes and shook her head. She hugged him gently. "Are you okay?" She asked softly. Stop talking, shortie. Nobody wants to listen. Swallow the fear.
Agnes stood. She didn't know where to go. Newt had stopped talking to her after she had been Stung. Lila didn't know who she was. Agnes moved over to Lila and Slater, looking at her feet.
Foxxe sniffed softly, looking away. She stared at Bridgers chest, then back up at his face, studying it. She looked back towards the rat man, feeling safe and comfortable in her friends grip. She didn't know what to say, she couldn't speak, she felt empty. Her throat had gone dry.
Slater nodded and let out a shaky breath, "I'm fine."
Bridger sniffed. He didn't want to lose his friend. Especially not from a illness that drove you to insanity. He didn't want her to go through all that. She'd already been through so much.
Lila nodded. "Okay." She saw Agnes out of the corner of her eye and tilted her head.
Agnes sat down next to Lila. "Can...Can I have a hug?"
Foxxe felt a stare send chills down her spin, and she looked back to see Archer, who quickly looked away. Foxxe narrowed her eyes, thats right. Look away you coward. She then hesitated and looked in front of her, a sudden feeling of sadness hit her, that could have been the last thing I had said, if I spoke out loud. I'm so scared... Foxxe's thoughts were already getting jumbled up.
Slater offered Agnes a soft smile. He gently let go of Lila, "Go ahead." He whispered softly. Lila was closer to Agnes than he ever was.
Bridger noticed the hostile look at Archer and he sighed. "You might want to...Patch things up with him." He muttered. How long does it take for the Flare to kill a person? Does it depend on age or gender or size?
Lila glanced at Slater nervously. She looked at Agnes and smiled a bit. Agnes leaned forward and hugged Lila. "I know you hate it when people touch you." Agnes whispered. Lila shrugged slightly and awkwardly hugged Agnes back.
Foxxe looked up at Bridger then shrugged. "I don't know how..." She murmured, her voice still shaky.
Slater gazed at the crowd, looking at those who were either celebrating their immunity or crying over the infected.
"Of course you do!" Bridger said. "Foxxe's are clever. If ya need help, ask. This disease doesn't make you not you." At first.
Agnes squeezed Lila a bit and let her go. "Thank you. " She said softly. "I needed that." Lila nodded and moved back to Slater.
Foxxe chuckled, "I'm not that clever, Bridger. And I'm also not so well-versed in the social stuff." She sighed lowly.
Slater had sorrow in his eyes.
Bridger rolled his eyes playfully. "You know Archie. He ain't the brightest kid, it'll be fine." He grinned. I hope it'll be fine. He thought.
Lila gently pressed her lips against his before sitting down in front of him. Agnes leaned back against the wall.
Foxxe sighed lowly and nodded, "I know." She lightly laughed, a small smile on her usually frowning lips. She then sighed just a little and closed her eyes, "Can you come with me, when I go to apologize?" She asked softly, biting at her sleeve.
Slater snapped out of his trance when he felt Lila lightly kiss him. He looked to her and smiled.
Bridger smiled softly and nodded. "Yeah, I can if you would like me to." He dipped his head slightly. "Dang, it's hot in here." He murmered to himself.
Lila tilted her head. "You look sad."
Foxxe sighed lowly and nodded. She was thankful that at least Bridger was there for her. "Thank you," she said softy.
Slater shook his head, "I'm okay."
Bridger shrugged. "Is the least I can do, you've stood by me, and I'll stand by you." He rubbed his big nose. "Just tell me when you'd like to go."
Lila frowned.
Foxxe nodded and relaxed against him again, "When I've gathered the courage." She muttered. She was still lightly shaking, and she didn't think she could stand on her own.
Slater rubbed his forehead, wiping the chilling sweat off his temple.
Bridger nodded slowly, putting an arm around his friend once again. "That's fine." What did they argue about anyway? Medicinal stuff or what? He wondered.
Lila stared at him. "Slate, are you scared?"
Foxxe nodded. She closed her eyes, taking in a few soft breaths and slowly letting them out, her breath quivering every so often. She didn't want to be sick. She was too scared.
Slater looks up at her then nodded. "Yeah." He admitted.
Bridger seemed to realize that Foxxe was still on edge. But what could he do? He was already comforting her, and doing an awfuljob at it. He looked at Ratman, his face without expression.
Lila gazed softly at him. She nodded slowly. "It is quite terrifying." She sighed. "And we were so full of hope when we got here." She sniffed. "What are you scared of?"
Foxxe played with her sleeves nervously. She went over all the things she's never said, and things she did say. She wished she had said more or said less at those times that she was thinking about.
Slater nodded and closed his eyes. He opened them shortly after, "I'm afraid of what's going to happen."
[color=black]Bridger stead dead ahead of him, in a daze. What will we do after the flat trans thingy? What does that mean? He furrowed his brow.
Lila looked at her feet. You sounds so stupid, Lila. Shut up... She wiped her eye with her index finger. "Yeah."