Wisdom in the Dark

Chapter 20 - Jak

Jak was pleased his father was so willing to send help to Pyc Village at such short notice. In a universe where every person and machine counted to ensure a village’s continued existence, Jan and Wodniki Village offered ample resources to aid the Pyc. It was a testament to Jan’s shrewd leadership and management of Wodniki Village, and his great generosity.

However, Jan’s response to Jak’s question on the location of the Lost Factory further frustrated him. It was the same children’s rhyme Mytla had invoked prior to her death. When Jak pushed his father for more information, Jan could offer nothing. It was all Mytla had provided him as well.

“What does it all mean?” Jak asked as he sat on the bed in Mytla’s hut, Mytla at his side while Doctor Sobik checked Myra’s body for any critical injuries.

“I don’t know,” Myra said with a shake of her head.

“Stop moving,” Sobik said, his tone flat. “You should have seen me sooner. What if you had internal bleeding?”

“I had other priorities on my mind,” Myra replied.

“Higher priorities than staying alive?” Sobik asked.

Myra was quiet at this, and Sobik continued his prodding as he checked the devices clipped to Myra’s body.

“I keep trying to remember the other stanzas of that poem,” Jak continued. “Zdik, the priest back in Wodniki Village, always made us recite is when I was growing up. Then I though it was a waste of time.”

“There are other stanzas?” Myra asked.

“Of course,” Jak replied.

“How many?”

“Seven, I think.”

“We only ever grew up with the one.”

“And you repeated that over and over again?”

“Kids are easily entertained-Ow!”

Doctor Sobik stood and planted his fists on his hips. “You may be my Matriarch but I have a mind to tell you you’re a horrible patient.”

“I’m fine.”

“The hell you are. I’m amazed nothing is broken after the entire traffic control center fell on you. It’s a miracle of Wotuos you’re in as good condition as you are.”

“Better than those who died,” Myra said, her voice soft.

Sobik’s stern front crumbled at Myra’s words, and he let his arms drop to his sides. “I know, my Matriarch. My nurses and I spent the last thirty-six hours tending to the injured. We have our hands full with operations the next few wake periods.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Because I need to ensure our leader is going to make it so she can lead us in this uncertain time.” Sobik let his words hang in the air for a moment before he continued. “And we need your leadership now more than ever.”

“I know,” Myra said with a nod.

“You check out,” Sobik said, putting away his instruments. “If anything doesn’t feel right you let me know immediately.”

Myra thanked Sobik as he left the hut and closed the door behind him.

“Hell of a ball buster,” Jak said as he watched Myra hobble back to the bed.

“He has to be with patients like me, I suppose,” Myra said.

Myra slumped onto the bed next to Jak with a heavy sigh.

“We need to talk,” Myra said.

“About?”

“You.”

“What about me?”

Myra took a deep breath before she continued. “What was wrong with you the other wake period?”

“What do you mean?”

Myra turned to look Jak straight in the eye. “You know what I mean. I was trying to lead the village and you were mad at me.”

“I wasn’t mad at you,” Jak countered. He felt anger boiling inside him.

“Well, you were mad.”

Jak sat for a moment. He wanted to just blurt out everything he dealt with the last rotation’s worth of wake periods. But as the words formed in his head it all sounded childish, especially in light of the Kotik attack on Pyc Village. It’s all excuses, Jak told himself. This is it. This is where Myra sees me for the fraud I am. Not the confident, able man and husband I’m supposed to be. The failure.

“I was. . .dealing with a lot,” Jak said.

“So was I.”

“I know,” Jak said. He realized after the fact he sounded angrier than he intended. “It wasn’t right. I promise, I’ll do better for us and for Pyc Village.”

Can I, though? Jak wondered.

“This whole wedding thing is difficult for both of us,” Myra said.

“Difficult without Vlad,” Jak said.

Jak’s words brought Myra up short. “Yes.” Myra sighed. “Nothing is bringing Vlad back. You and I are here now. We’re supposed to be a team. Will you be a team with me, as my husband?”

Jak could tell it was difficult for Myra to say those words. He was sure the hardest part was acknowledging out loud to Jak that Vlad was gone. Maybe she struggles with some of the same issues I do, Jak wondered. He quickly pushed that thought aside. No. I can’t let my guard down. I can’t let her see the real me.

“Yes.” Jak said as he met her gaze. He was sure to make his voice sound confident and strong.