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“We’re gonna have company.”
That was all he said before the hospital room door burst open.
“Yo, came over as fast as we could. Buses to the hospital take forever. Good thing we ain’t fuckin’ dyin’.”
Despite his crass words, I couldn’t help but smile at the way Misael entered the room, followed closely—but quietly—by Kace. The blond boy nodded to me and leaned against the wall, arms folded over his chest. I glanced between the three of them, even more surprised at the arrival of the other two than I had been to discover Bishop had stayed. He, at least, had already been here because he’d come with us, but Kace and Misael had just… showed up.
“What are you guys doing here?” I asked, looking between them.
“Well, Bish texted us that something went down and that both of you were at the hospital. Shit, I’m sorry your mom’s in here,” Misael said, sitting down on the edge of the hospital bed.
“I also said not to come and crowd her up,” Bishop added flatly, looking at the caramel-skinned boy with a raised brow.
“Well, you weren’t giving us any real details, and with the way the ambulance peeled out of the neighborhood, and you driving off like a bat out of hell…” Misael shook his head, waving Bish off. “You’re not the only one who gives a shit, you stone-faced brick-man.”
I blinked. “Stone-faced… brick-man…”
“Good description, huh?”
I laughed a little. It felt surprisingly good to laugh. And it felt good to feel good. Like levity was okay for now.
It felt like a reminder that even with the darkness that loomed over our heads, there was something to be happy about. I… had people around me that cared for me. Even if it was in a strange, insanely possessive kind of way. Even if it was in a way I didn’t fully understand.
Even if it had started from a place of darkness, possession, and vengeance.
“Thank you… for coming by and checking on me,” I whispered softly. “Just… really. Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do if…”
I don’t know what I’d do if I had to go through this alone.
Twenty-Four
Mom had to stay in the hospital overnight, but I was free to go after it became clear I didn’t need any extra care.
The doctors let me see her when I was back on my feet, but the reunion was a short-lived one. She just lay in bed, still asleep and unmoving. Somehow, even in the harsh white lights of the hospital room and against the bleached bed sheets, she managed to look more peaceful than she had in a long time. I didn’t want to think about why that might be; did her unconscious mind think she’d succeeded in what she’d set out to do? Were her dreams filled with heavenly choirs and angel trumpets?
She would be sent home when they were sure she wasn’t going to be a danger to herself, but in the meantime, I was told to go home and get some rest myself. I wanted to stay overnight, but the doctor said it would be best if I didn’t, although I was free to come back and visit.
It was close to eleven PM when I was finally released. I could’ve taken the bus—I had cash since Bish had grabbed my backpack on the way out the door—but the Lost Boys were more than willing to drive me home.
I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that they’d all come to the hospital to be with me as we pulled up to the house. I hadn’t been prepared for the looming, uncomfortable feeling that filled me as I looked up at the house with its dirty paint and broken shutters and the cracked walkway that led to the door. I hesitated with my hand on the car door handle, delaying the inevitable for a few more seconds.
The little house had never felt welcoming, but now, something about it felt downright threatening.
“Something wrong, Princess?” Bishop looked over to me, his head tilted.
“No.” I swallowed, forcing my expression to clear. “Just feels weird to be going back in there, that’s all.”
He glanced at the rearview mirror, exchanging a look with the other two through the re
flection before turning back to me.
“Well, we’ll keep you company.”
With that, Bish killed the car’s engine and slid on out himself, followed by Misael and Kace. I looked at them disbelievingly, but said nothing else as I got out too. I trailed behind them as all three marched purposefully to the front door, turning to wait for me on the stoop.
Their habit of just doing things as they felt necessary was still a little jarring; they were so confident in their ability to do whatever they pleased, as if they were the kings of whatever pocket of the world they happened to be occupying at any given time. Maybe I should have been used to it, but it still took me by surprise more often than not.
It was one of the things I’d hated most about them when I’d first met them. But now?
