Page 96 of Natural-Born Cullers

“Fucking no. I—”

Gray suddenly shifted over, came in close, so bloody fast, hands slamming palm-flat against the wall, framing Jack’s head, body acting like a cage.

“For once, in your own goddamn life—take responsibility for your own fucking disorders and fuck off, Jack.Do what he says, because I swear if you don’t, I’ll—”

“What?” Jack pressed his head hard against Gray’s. “What the fuck are you going to do to me that hasn’t already been done, Gray?”

Gray stopped himself, physically took a step back as he wiped a hand over his mouth. “Get him out of here, Ray. Now. Tell him what Martin’s done, bullet point by bloody bullet point. Then get him to write me a fucking essay on padded walls over just why he’s protected that bastard and pulled him away.”

Jack stilled as Gray turned away before heading for his office.

With Jan, there was no torn look anymore over going with Gray or staying here with Jack. Because he chose to go in that moment, and as he walked away, he did it without looking back as he rubbed at his head and went after Gray.

Jack dropped his look to the floor.

“Get a call through to Halliday, Ray,” Jan snapped before he disappeared around the bend. “He should have been here from the fucking beginning.”

Huh?Halliday?

Everything fell so bloody quiet, and Jack shivered once, maybe twice….

“Hey, you back with me?”

In the coldness of the hall, Jack tried to focus on Ray. He’d shifted position, moving from his right, and Ray looked down at his watch and rested against the wall as Jack tried to shake away the stiffness and aches in his muscles.

The hall stood empty, the manor still so quiet, even the talk that had gone on in the lounge only played host to ghosts. Everyone slipped so easily in and out of a time-lapsed movie he couldn’t find a way out from.

That just left Ray standing a breath away, and a rub came at Jack’s arm as he kept one eye on his watch. Jack shrugged out of the touch, his skin crawling.

“Yeah, we really need to get you upstairs now, hm? See if we can get Craig in quicker if Halliday can’t get here yet.” A touch went under Jack’s jaw, and Ray searched his look with a frown. “Fifteen minutes. You’ve not had one of these in a while, tough guy.” He gave a hard sigh. “Did those two bastards even consider the full effect of poison on your system when it comes to your absences? Because I lost you for a while back there, Jack.”

Jack let his look drift towards the office, but he couldn’t hold it for long before rubbing at his head. “Talk to me. Please. What’s gone on?”

Ray gave a rough sigh. “Now might not be the best time—”

Jack looked up at him. “Basic fucking care plan, Ray. Just bloody tell me. Give me that at least.”

Ray didn’t look happy, but he gave a sigh and leaned against the wall as he spoke. Jack’s heart shattered as he started to fill in all the blanks.

Now he understood.

Ray rubbed at his arm again. “We okay?”

Jack glanced at him. “Don’t call in Halliday, please. You’ve been here from the start. You know what he’ll do hearing all… this.”

Ray frowned. “I’m just gonna make sure you’re checked over, mate. Nothing more.” He tried a smile. “He’s the only one qualified to look at that head of yours.”

Jack dropped his look and gave a nod. Ray didn’t see it. He hoped to God Jan hadn’t. Jack knew where he’d end up tonight. “I just need some fresh air. That okay with you?”

Ray shook his head. “Get your head down upstairs first, okay. The doc who saw to Mart did a good job patching you up, but your head…? I’ll get you on some oxygen until Halliday prescribes differently.”

“Not the kind of fresh air I need,” Jack said gently. “Please. Just five minutes.” He went to pull away, but Ray caught his arm. “Let go.” Jack looked down at the hold. “I know where I stand with you. We’re far from fucking friends.”

Ray nodded. “Yeah, we’re far from friends. Attachments get in the way of me doing my job, so I keep distance to keep a clear head when most others can’t around here.” His eyes softened. “For your sake, for Martin’s, you both stay safe, here, okay? You don’t get to walk out there alone. Not again.”

Jack shifted a look towards the front door. Yeah, right. That…. “I know my head, Ray. I need five minutes. I won’t go beyond your view as you call Halliday. I just need the calm you can’t find within four walls that don’t stop screaming.”

Ray frowned, then after a moment, he let go and stepped back. “Five minutes, okay? Then I’m coming after you and showing you my version of mukka tipping if you’re not back.”

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