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“Oh.” She laughs again and lifts the clear cup holding my medicine toward me. “Okay mister funny guy, how about you sit up for me so you can take this. We don't need you choking on top of everything else.”
I nod and move to sit on the edge of the bed, pressing my feet to the cold floor.
“Where are your socks?”
“They make my feet hot.”
“Did you walk here without them?”
I shake my head, pointing to the pair sitting on the beige chair.
She sighs in relief and reaches for the cup of water on her cart. “Good—”
“You'd hate to add a fall to everything else, yes, I know.”
Everett nudges my back. “You promised.”
“I don't remember saying that.”
He clears his throat. “You gave your word then.”
“Something you shouldn't always trust.”
The nurse chuckles. “You two really are a riot. I love it.” She hands me both cups and I chase the pill down with the water. Leaning toward the small trash can, I toss the empty cups inside and show her my tongue.
“Gone.”
She twists her lips, her eyes humorous. “I see that. Well, you two get some rest. I'll be by a little later unless you decide to migrate again.”
I nod and climb back on Everett. She pushes her cart out first before coming back to turn the light off. “Night, guys.”
“Later,” I say while I drag the covers back over us.
“You wiggle too much,” Everett says, attempting to hold me still with his arms.
“And you gripe too much.”
“It's not enough apparently.” His nose presses into my hair.
It used to be. Once upon a time, his scolding would drive me up the wall. Now I need to hear it in order for it to be the way it used to be when I was me and he was him. The days before the world became broken.
Nine
Everett
ThenexttimeIwake up I'm alone and my mom is sitting in the chair next to me, staring out the window.
“Iggy,” I whisper.
“No, it's me, honey,” my mom says, moving closer. “You're finally awake.”
“Yeah,” I respond groggily, sitting up in bed. “Was I alone when you got here?”
She arches her brow and perches on the edge of the bed. “Yeah. Were you expecting someone else?”
Shaking my head, I push down my blanket, fumbling with the material. “No. I mean, I think Lennon, my boss, is supposed to come by at some point and maybe a few friends from work.” I’m not sure how many of those friendships are actually real now. Did some of them know where I was the whole time?
My stomach lurches at the thought of one of the men I've spent the last few years working with being involved in my kidnapping. Was my captor lying? He had to be. It's all part of their game, turning you against people you care about. Hoping you'll eventually no longer care to go back home, assuming there's nothing there for you anymore.
