case Helen ever needed to protect Claire. Helen had thanked her
for that, although there was little else her mother told her that
night to make her grateful.
?Did you sort things out with Lucas?? Daphne asked as Helen
entered the room. Helen flinched when she heard his name, nodded
hastily, and put the attention back on Claire.
?Hey, Gig. You really freaked me out,? she said. She came over to
stand next to the bed.
?Freaked myself out,? Claire said, gesturing for her to sit down.
Then she noticed Helen?s puffy face. ?Are you okay??
?Not important,? Helen said as she perched next to her mother.
?How are you two??
?It was easier than I thought it would be,? Jason replied. ?We
never went into the rubble, all we did was climb the dry hills.?
?Good,? Helen said, smiling with relief. ?That?s far away from the
river.?
?I know,? Jason said, smiling back at Helen before he looked
back down at Claire. ?She really is strong.?
?What river? What rubble?? Daphne interjected, glancing from
Jason to Helen, but she was overruled by Claire?s urgency.
?That was real?? she blurted out, her eyes dark and wide with
fear.
?Yes and no,? Jason said softy, briefly brushing his lips against
Claire?s forehead as he sat up painfully and gently pulled her up
with him. ?It?s a real place, but we only went there in spirit.?
?But I was so hungry. So thirsty,? Claire whispered, suddenly
terrified.
She trustingly turned her face into Jason?s neck and he held her
close to him. The bond they had forged in the dry lands still tied
them to each other, and Helen had a feeling that Jason was reluctant