Chapter 5

Catheryn

Cat looked at Sam as he sat by her bedside. Vaguely she wondered what he was doing. She was about to ask him, but somehow the words got lost on their way to her mouth, and no sound came out. She gave up and lay watching him. He looked terrible. His face was pale and haggard, his dark hair only accentuating this. She was really thirsty, it was a terrible, burning thirst that hurt her throat. It was unbearable. She sat up, and looked around the room. Sam heard the rustling, and looked up. Cat! he cried, then came over to her and flung his arms around her. Cat was shocked, but in a nice kind of way. She hugged him back, then croaked water. Sam looked at her for a second, and then went to get a glass. He came back with it brimming with cool clear, delicious water. Cat almost mewed with delight. She brought it to her lips and drank it down. It gushed down her sore throat, soothing it. After she finished, she sighed. Thank you, she gasped. I needed that. Sam smiled at her again. Wait& Cat suddenly realised that she was in a hospital, where am I, what am I doing here? Sams smile disappeared. Oh no& she whispered inaudibly.
You were unconscious, Sam began and I told dad. He was with you for a whole night. When I checked on your two in the morning, I found that he was& he was&dead. Cat gasped, and tears rolled down her cheeks. Sam carried on, I called an ambulance, and they took us all to hospital. They said you had been unconscious for a long time, and they said that it was too late for dad. I must have been in shock or something, because I woke up in a hospital bed. Then I went to see dad and find you. Youve been here for almost three days. His voice cracked again as he spoke, and tears sprung up in his eyes as well, Oh Cat, I was so worried that I had lost you too. He cried, First mum, then dad and then I thought& I thought& Cat held out her arms, and the two hugged each other as if they would never let go. Their tears mixed, making their cheeks shine.

After a while, Catheryn pulled away. She wiped her eyes on the back of her hand. Sam, she said, if this is really true, then weve got no family left. Nothing. What are we going to do? Sam didnt answer. His face was still, but she knew he was thinking. I think that we should stay here another night, then see what our position is tomorrow morning, when were a bit fresher. Cat gave a squeak of protest, but he silenced her by holding up his hand. Its for the best. He explained. Cat gave up, although she stuck out her tongue at him, then turned her head with a haughty expression. Sam grinned, and he hugged her again. Its good to have you back, Cat. He laughed. Cat turned her head and smiled at him. Im going to make sure that well sleep in rooms that are next to each others tonight. Ok? Cat nodded. She smiled, and lay back on her pillow. When he had left her room, she was left alone, with only the birdsong of outside to keep her company. Wiping a tear from her cheek, she watched the golden sunlight, as it lay dappled across the floor. She mused over her life. She had faced more than almost anyone could bear, and yet, she was lucky. She was lucky that she had Sam, and hope. Hope that she may one day find her mother and father again. Gradually she felt herself slipping back into sleep, but as her features relaxed, she was smiling.