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He sighs deeply. “Ev—”
“You said anything.”
“I did, didn't I?”
“Please. I have to know how he is.”
“I'm not sure it's a good idea. It might not be safe.” He shifts, pressing into the door.
“And things were safer before?”
“Yeah, okay, but don't make me regret doing this,” he says, worry filling his voice.
“Thanks, Con.”
His footsteps move away from the door and the room grows quiet again, the bathroom faucet dripping. It's like nails on a fucking chalkboard. Rushing toward the noise, I flip on the light and glance down at the sink while I tighten the knobs.
Drip, drip, drip.
“Stop,” I say, squeezing my eyes shut. It doesn't and I fall forward on the counter, my fingers digging into my scalp as I close my eyes. The air smells stale with a hint of blood and mildew and the room changes. It's dark and cold. My feet drag against concrete and Ignacio is huddled in the corner of the room.
“Iggy?” I call to him.
He doesn't move. I walk closer, the cuffs heavy on my ankles with each step. Bending down, I reach out to the slender, battered body.
“Hey. It's okay. I'm here.” I roll him over, gasping, tripping over my own feet as I jump backward. His face is covered in blood, his eye sockets empty and mouth agape. I scream, my heart lurching and something ugly twisting inside me.
“No!” I shout. “No.”
A hand touches my shoulder and I swat at it.
“No!” I shout again.
“Ev, it's me, Connor.” Arms wrap around me, squeezing tightly. “You're having a nightmare. It's okay. I got you. You're safe. So is Iggy.”
My eyes shoot open and I slowly lift my head. “What? Where am I?”
“You fell asleep in the bathroom against the sink. Let's get you back to bed, okay?”
“The dripping. It…I need to make it stop.”
He helps me stand off the counter, guiding me to the bed. “It's probably the shower. It's finicky sometimes. You gotta really twist the lever on the showerhead if you use it or else it drips.”
Sighing in relief, I plop down in the bed and Connor brings the covers over my naked body.
“You aren't going to ask what happened to my clothes?”
He smiles softly. “I figured you have your reasons. I know things won't be the same for a while and I don't expect them to be. I will never understand what you went through, but I know it won't be easy to come back from. If walking around naked, sleeping in the bathroom, and shutting off all the faucets helps you heal then by all means, do what you have to. Then when you fall asleep in the sink, I can help you back to bed,” he says cheekily.
I bark out a laugh. I hadn't realized how badly I needed my brother's sarcasm and jokes until now. They bring a little bit of normal back into my life.
“Thanks, man. I mean it. I promise you won't be taking care of me forever.”
“No. You'll be back on your feet again, being independent and not needing anyone, just like before. Then the time will come when I'll need you to wipe my ass and you'll be there.”
My lips spread into a smile. “Sure I will. Night. I'll try not to cause any more problems.”
He nods and ruffles my hair. “It's not any trouble. Sometimes it's okay to let others take care of you for a change,” he says and walks back into the hallway.
