Page 173 of Death is Familiar

Hands and offers of help rang out from there, but they were too little too late. I slapped them all away, trudging towards Jack and a sopping wet Todd.

Amongst the convulsions, Jack unbuttoned Todd’s shirt to keep the soaked collar from restricting his airway while I sprawled out behind Todd, timing his seizure.

Todd seized for another thirty-seconds before his muscles started to relax. Another ten before his breathing came in deep and full breaths.

Once I was certain Todd was about to rouse to consciousness and was no longer a risk to himself, I curled myself protectively over his water-logged form, rubbing my hand over his back in wide, slow, circles.

Jack ordered the people around us to clear out. To give us some space.

But we were the most entertainment they’d seen all night. We were something new. So, while the onlookers backed up, a pace or two, they kept their open-mouthed attentions pinned on the three of us.

“Hmph.”

Muscles jolted, contracting beneath my palm. Todd was coming back into himself. But the jolt, wasn’t an immediate snap to awareness. Instead, it was followed by a slow push, as semi-conscious Todd shifted closer, putting more of his body in contact with mine.

“It’s okay.” I kept on rubbing his back. “You’re alright. Everything is okay.”

“Where?” Todd’s eyes fluttered open, his brows slowly knit together. “Why are you wet?” One of his hands went to his chest. “Why am I wet?”

“We fancied a swim.” I smiled to let him know everything was okay. There was nothing to worry about.

Todd closed his eyes, his face relaxed, a glimmer of a smile tracing his lips for a half-second before Jack provided the rest of the facts. “We’re at the fang ceremony in Tarrytown. The strobe lights set off a seizure.”

Reality weighed on Todd. “I fell in?”

“Looks that way.”

“Fuck.” Todd’s movements were slow. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see the seizure had taken a lot out of him.

“Enough! Everyone inside.” Lenore parted the crowd, forcing them to disperse. Her authority over her membership was indisputable. “The fang ceremony will begin shortly. Get inside, or leave, those are your two options.” I gave Lenore a tight-lipped nod in thanks, which she waved off, in favor of ushering her flock.

Very few onlookers remained, one of which was Fawzy who stood at the edge of the departing crowd, an eyebrow raised. Jack and I dipped our heads in acknowledgement, letting her know everything was okay, and she disappeared alongside the throng of people inside.

“I’ve got to go inside…” Jack looked torn. “…Fawzy…”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got him.” I squeezed Todd’s shoulder.

“I’m fine.” Todd’s arm came up and pushed Jack half-heartedly away. “Go.”

Jack hesitated, I could see the temptation to call off the operation, but I had my own motivations for seeing this evening through. People were locked away upstairs and down, and I had plans, which required us to close the vamp case tonight.

“You’re the only one of us who is still mostly dry, so you’re the only one who can go inside and be useful.” I could still sense Jack’s apprehension so I added, “If you’re worried, bring in one of the other agents.”

Jack inhaled deeply, running his fingers through his hair, before pushing himself to his feet. “You stay by his side. You don’t leave him.”

“I’ll stay so close Todd will think he’s grown an extra set of limbs.”

Jack hesitated.

“Are you waiting for a demonstration?”

“What? No, I just…” He exhaled “Just…take care of him.”

“I won’t let anything else happen to him. Promise.”

“Just go, Jack.”

Jack gave tight-lipped nod, typed a quick message on his phone, then left with one last weary look over his shoulder.