Page 55 of Burn Like An Angel

“It’s them,” I breathe out, letting myself slump in relief.

Lennox sighs, though I can’t hear him moving to greet the others. The voices are nearing, exchanging heated whispers. Langley, Ripley and Xander. They’re all safe. Thank fuck.

The door to the swimming pool slamming open announces their return. Taking a deep breath in, I feel myself smile. Papaya. The tropical fruitiness is like a homing beacon guiding me back to her.

“Raine!”

I could collapse from relief. “Guava girl.”

“Did you show them my secret hiding place?”

Her rapid steps magnetise her to me. The familiar scent I’ve come to know and adore envelopes me as Ripley pulls me into her arms. I snuggle into her chest, getting a face full of fruity curls, but I couldn’t be happier.

“Nah,” I murmur.

“So how did you find your way back?”

“My idea,” Lennox rumbles from far-off.

“I should’ve known,” Ripley mutters acidly.

Squeezing me tight enough to ache, I feel Ripley running her hands all over me. Two small hands cup my cheeks, bringing warmth to my cold, clammy skin. She feels like a blissful furnace.

“You’re pale and sweaty,” she worries. “Withdrawals?”

“I’m fine, Rip.”

“Nothing about you looks fine. Aren’t you taking the pills Doctor Hall prescribed?”

“Under protest,” Lennox supplies. “He looks better now than he did a few hours ago.”

“Raine! You have to take them.”

“I forced them down him,” Lennox adds.

“Good.” Ripley squeezes my hand.

I’m not sure how I feel about being the only thing these two agree on right now.

Using the memory of Ripley’s body, I eventually find her jaw and begin searching it with my fingertips. Her face still feels swollen and a little hot to touch. My fingers coast over her neck, stopping when I feel several crusted cuts on her skin.

“What are these?” I ask, panic riding me hard. “Are you hurt?”

“It’s nothing,” she rushes to assure me. “I was coming back to find you guys when I found Xander. We holed up overnight to rest.”

Oh.

Perhaps I shouldn’t pull at that thread. I’m not about to judge how the pair sort their shit out as long as she… erm, consents. Then it’s fair game, I suppose. Ripley is her own woman.

The sound of huffing follows something heavy hitting the floor.

“You lot were supposed to stay put.”

I jolt at the sound of Xander’s voice. “We had no choice.”

“Let’s agree not to split up again,” Xander suggests.

A throat clears. Langley. “Well, about that.”

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