Separations

PART FOUR

Somebody screamed. Lana jerked up, angry at herself for falling asleep, and crawled over to Angele who was sitting bolt upright on her blanket looking scared.

“What happened?” Lana asked,

“I... that's none of your business Lana.” Angele snapped.

“Okay. I'm only trying to help, but if you don't want me to help that's fine.” Lana retorted. She returned to her bed. Angele lay down again and stared vacantly into the dark. The dream she'd had was about Ralf... and Mirabell... and Ralf was dying.

“Angele!”

“What?”

“Jermaine's not here!”

Angele didn't move. “I don't know where he is.”

“Angele. Stop being so difficult!”

Angele jumped up and scowled at Lana, “I'm not being difficult! You're just taking offence at nothing. You're an over-sensitive person and I think you should be making more of an effort!”

“Angele, I can't put up with this much longer!” Lana's face dropped into her hands. Angele felt a little shocked at herself but kept on going.

“Well you'll have to. You've lost less than I have and I won't help you.”

“You don't understand!” wailed Lana. Angele stamped her foot impatiently.

“No! You don't understand! I've lost my husband and my son and you're just sitting there wallowing in self-pity! You didn't-”

“You don't care!” Lana cried, miserably.

“Of course I don't care! Why should I care? It's your fault I came on this stupid journey in the first place! I'm fed up with you and your whining! I'm not travelling with you any longer! I'm going to find Ralf!”

“But Angele-”

“No, Lana!” Angele turned her back on Lana and stomped out of the hut, straight into Mirabell.