Annihilation (The Seamus Chronicles Book 1) (18 page)

It was Dad’s refusal to search for survivors in Chicago and Pittsburgh that put Jane and Cassandra off the rails. Right after we completed the reactor she begged him to try Chicago before heading to Louisiana. The rest of us agreed with his stance that a guaranteed survivor was more important than a potential survivor. Until we had contact with someone there would be no rescue mission. The next day began Jane’s unrelenting pursuit of something related to solar sail technology and traveling faster than light.

I wish a psychologist had survived. We could all use some therapy. I’m not sure we can have post-traumatic stress disorder because we are not post the trauma yet. We will probably never get beyond the trauma. There is a general “why me” feeling in terms of our survival. Personally I also have flashbacks to the fire and witnessing the heads explode on those two men that Dad shot.

“Mom I know you didn’t want to talk about it, but I’m glad we did.” It feels good to have cleared the air with her. Things are not all the way back to normal but they are much better than when I woke up this morning.

“I’m glad we did too. I hope you know that I love you so much. It’s hard for me to adjust to not having to protect you.” She is hugging me so tight I can barely breathe. But it’s the first real hug I have gotten from her since she left home for the airport on a regular old business trip all those months ago before the world fell apart.