Page 48 of Red

“Just a water, if you don’t mind,” I say.

Once Beatrice brings me a water, she gets busy with her other patients. I try to listen to the conversations; one has a broken arm, the other got a stick in the eye while running in the dark, and the last is the one next to me.

“How’s it going today?”

The legless man scoffs. “Be better when I can go out there to kill that beast.”

I choke, spitting my water back into the cup.

“Soon enough,” she says.

I guess even the med unit has to know what’s bringing in injured humans.

I lean back in the bed and stare at the row of guns by the door. Knowing they’re what give them the power to kill my own makes them even more intimidating. I don’t know much about them—just enough to hate the way they rest there.

Beatrice continues to check in and do her rounds.

“What is this place? A military base?” I ask.

“Somewhat. We’re here to solve a problem.”

My eyebrows raise. “What problem is that?”

“You know what, I think it’s best for one of our leaders to explain dear. Just relax and we’ll get you sorted.” Beatrice continues to be stubborn no matter how much I try to learn from her throughout the day and no one else comes in for care.

At dark, a man comes in to take over. He’s tall for a human, and lean, with an incredibly friendly face. One you’d trust to ask for help if you got lost.

“I’m Brodie,” he says.

“Aly.”

“They’re delivering dinner soon. I’m sure you’re starving.”

“Oh, thanks.” I grin back at him, and his eyes give off the smallest sparkle.

When dinner arrives, I try to eat a few things off the tray to be respectful. Brodie brings me another ice pack, and I’m grateful.

The door slams open and a woman limps in, cursing. Brodie runs over and lifts her arm over his shoulder, helping her hop over to the bed beside me.

“What happened, Gretch?”

She shakes her head. “I saw one, it spooked me, and I ran back toward camp. I tripped over a fallen tree. Think I twisted my ankle.”

Who did she see? What color were they?

“We’ll get it wrapped up.” He bends down and takes her boot off. I wish he’d ask more questions.

She looks over at me and tilts her head. “Who’s that?”

Brodie glances at me and gives a warm look.

“I’m Aly. I . . . sort of arrived this morning? I’m not exactly sure.” I shrug.

She grins. “Oh, well, I’m Gretch. It’s nice to have another girl around here.”

“I don’t know if I’m, like, sticking around here. More like passing through.”

“Not if I have anything to do with it,” she says with a wince. “Ouch. Could you go easy on me?”