Page 25 of Rebel

‘ATLAS’

Sitting in the emergency room, waiting on word about my parents, all three boys are attached to me in some way. I know Kon is feeling like it’s his fault because at the barbecue he got into a fight with Colin. That was until we saw the poor kid getting wheeled in, looking pasty and beat the hell up. Kon even got up and went to the gurney, telling Colin he’s there if he should need anything. I think that’s when Colin realized the older couple were Kon’s grandparents ’cause he started to sob loudly. I was so proud when my son grabbed this kid’s hand, telling him everything was going to be okay. Tank walked in at that moment, putting his arm around Kon and giving him a man hug. He went back with Colin when they took him to the treatment rooms.

When Enforcer walks in, I can see the emotional drain all over his face. He walks toward us, taking a seat across from us. I watch as he runs his hands through his hair. Thanos gets up and goes to the vending machine, returning with a bottle of water he passed off to Enforcer, which has him looking at Thanos. When he quietly says thanks, my son comes back and sits down. I give him a few pats on the back. No one says a word; we just sit quietly as more and more people start to show up. Some of the Intruders are first, then a few of the folks from the sanctuary,who were there where they were keeping my parents. When the Devil’s Handmaidens start showing up, I want to ask where Rebel is. However, I’m afraid because that means I have to make a decision on what to do with these assholes, though when I see all the kids being brought in with different levels of trauma, my heart starts to harden against them.

One of the trauma nurses comes out from the back, eyes wet, and tells the emergency room charge nurse, Brenda, she needs some air. Brenda tells her to take as much time as she needs. Letting the boys know I’m going to go talk to Brenda, I make my way to the station she’s at. When she looks my way, I’m shocked to see so many emotions going across her face. When she leans in, I don’t expect her to say what she does.

“Dr. Giannopoulos, those sick bastards should first be castrated then gutted and left to bleed out. That’s not even close to what they deserve. Sorry for my language and unprofessional statement, but there are young girls back there being prepped to have hysterectomies because of the damage done. A couple of the older ones are going in for bowel resection surgery. Oh, I’m so sorry about your parents. Your mom is still in surgery and your dad is being stitched up under anesthesia. Both are critical because of their injuries and their age. Atlas, I’m here if you or the boys need anything. I want you to know that.”

Just as I go to thank her, I hear all my boys yelling out at Rebel, who apparently has arrived. When I turn, I think to myself,Holy Mother of God.Walking through the automatic doors are Rebel, Tink, Raven, Shadow, and Heartbreaker. Each and every one is covered in blood, dirt, and only Christ knows what else. When Brenda sees them, she moves around the station and heads directly to them unfazed by their appearance. Yeah, guess today is the day of shocks for me, I guess. When Brenda starts talking to them it hits me this isn’t the first time they’ve walked into the hospital like that.

“All right, we have the shower room available for y’all to clean up. Also in the lockers are the spare clothes you left here from the last time. Does anyone need to be seen by a doctor?”

I hear a lot of nos, then Tink turns looking at Shadow, who grimaces. Tink turns looking at Brenda, pointing at Shadow. Our charge nurse walks directly to the Devil’s Handmaidens enforcer, asking her what’s wrong.

“Brenda, it’s nothing. Got poked but I’ll survive, we all know I’ve had worse. I’m gonna shower then have to talk to Atlas. Shit, how are his folks doing?”

Anyone can see that Shadow is trying not to answer Brenda’s question. That’s when Raven steps up, staring at her friend, daring her to deny anything.

“Brenda, Shadow’s got a slash across her upper back from the left shoulder blade to her right one. Probably is going to need stitches if not staples.”

Brenda grabs Shadow’s arm and starts to drag her down the hallway to a treatment room. All the women either high-five or pat Raven, who just grins. When Rebel sees me, she comes directly to me.

“Atlas, how are Apollo and Athena?”

All of her club sisters make their way to us to hear what I have to say.

“Sweetheart, just don’t know. Dad is being put back together with stitches, staples, and glue. They had to put him under due to the level of his pain. They are monitoring his heart since he had a stent put in a few years back. Mom is a totally different story. Rebel, she’s critical. They aren’t sure if they’ll have to take some of her bowels or not. I know the damage, both in the front and back, is substantial. All we can do is wait to see what happens. They just brought in a few of the kids and, holy shit, Rebel, they are in really bad shape.”

She’s looking up at me with such sorrow in her eyes, and I get it when she starts to explain.

“Atlas, they’re the lucky ones. Wildcat and Kiwi found an open hole that had about five or six kids in there. The abuse they took before dying is beyond comprehension.”

I pull her to me, filth and everything. She lays her head on my chest and lets out a huge sigh. My eyes move over each and every one of the Devil’s Handmaidens present. Don’t have the words, but have to try.

“Ladies, not sure how or what to say, but I’m forever in your debt. Without you and all the people you know, we would have never gotten my folks back, I’m sure of it. Not sure why they were taken and probably will never find out, I’m just glad we got them back. I don’t possess your skills but if I can ever be of help, please reach out.”

As I’m finishing, I hear footsteps to see the boys making their way to us. First Thanos hugs Rebel. Kon literally pulls her out of my arms, smushing her to him. When he releases her, I see Stefanos shyly move close to Rebel. She leans down, whispering he doesn’t have to hug her if he doesn’t want to, she gets it. That’s when my middle boy literally almost jumps into her arms, catching her off guard. As I grab for Rebel, Kon pulls his brother toward him. Brenda has made her way back out and lets everyone know they are already working on Shadow. The boys and I go back and take our seats while the women head to, I’m guessing, the showers. Time keeps moving and when the women are back, the emergency room is quickly filling up. Ollie walks in his arm around Paisley, Grey and Abigale behind them. Coming up last is Squirt, Dani, Kitty, and Momma Diane, all with trays in their hands. When Momma Diane looks to Brenda, our charge nurse nods toward the conference room, which all four women walk to and in. The smells remind me that I’ve not eaten since early this morning. Squirt walks up to us, giving Thanos a paton the head and Stefanos a fist bump. Looking at all of us, she tells us to go grab something to eat. When I start to tell her I’m good, my stomach takes that moment to growl loudly. We all laugh, stand, and head to the conference room. Momma Diane immediately comes to me, asking how my folks are. I explain both are being treated. She tells me if they, me, or my boys need anything, she has two motorcycle clubs available, day or night at her fingertips.

It’s after everyone has eaten and some people have left because they have kids or other responsibilities to get back to. Left in the emergency room are, of course, my boys, me, and Rebel at my side, as well as Shadow, Dottie, and Heartbreaker. Tink and Noodles left about an hour ago. Watching Tink, I can tell the process is kicking her ass, going to have to make time to talk to them both. Panther, Avalanche, Dallas, and Jersey are here, along with Enforcer, Pussy—yeah, that’s his club name—Omen, and Malice. Not sure why the guys are sticking around but not going to question it. Everyone is beyond exhausted. Brenda updated me, all the kids have been admitted for observation. Seven of them were still in or almost finished having surgery. They are going to have a long recovery, physically and mentally. I heard Enforcer on the phone with Taz, telling her about each kid and their situations. Guess they will be staying at the ranch to recover. Thanos and Stefanos are leaning on each other, sleeping. Kon is pacing back and forth. I’m sitting with Rebel draped over me, neither of us saying a word. The question I want or need to ask is stuck in my throat. Looking around the room, my eyes come to Shadow, who seems to be watching my every move. I swear, sometimes, she can read my mind because shemouths, “We got them all, no worries.” Panther is watching our interaction and I can see the concern on his face. I don’t know how he does it. I mean, yeah, Shadow is a nice person at times, but bottom line is, she kills people. Hearing my name, I look up at Panther.

“No, you’re wrong, Atlas. She doesn’t kill people, my nizhoni rids the world of filth, which is a good thing. Without her, they would continue their hatred and brutality freely. Don’t think it doesn’t bother her because it does, but she’ll never stop until that particular service of hers is no longer needed. She carries the scars to protect the innocent and abused. Remember that. Actually, she has a huge slash that will become her next scar to carry with her on this journey their club is on. Learn my friend not to judge the book by its cover.”

My mouth is open because I know I didn’t say any of what I was thinking aloud. Some of these people freak me the hell out, and that’s saying a lot. Hearing the automatic doors opening, I’m up on my feet immediately, moving toward Dr. Uno, who is taking care of my dad.

“Atlas, looks good. I’ve gotten most of the open abrasions closed either with internal stitches and staples or using some glue. Your father also has three broken ribs, which you know there’s nothing we can do about those injuries, just have to let them heal with some pain medications to help him manage. He’s just about bruised from head to toe. We scanned his head and don’t see any bleeds, but will be keeping him here for a day or so due to the stent, though no problems so far. He’s still pretty out of it, but if you want to check in on him, please do. Probably will be more coherent in a couple of hours. Do you have any questions for me? Oh, I put him on some antibiotics to play it safe. You have my number if something should come up, don’t care what time it is.”

I thank him, as does Kon. When I turn, everyone’s attention is on us. I repeat what Dr. Uno said and take a seat again. One okay, now all prayers go for my mom. I know her case and the outcome will be different than my dad’s. A nurse comes by with two blankets, covering up Thanos and Stefanos. Kon thanks her as she walks by. For a second I’m stunned. My God, when did he grow up and become a man? Rebel snuggles closer, looking up at me.

“Konstantin is growing up and is going to be just like you, Atlas. I can see it clearly.”

I lean down and place a gentle kiss on her lips. She hasn’t told me what happened up there after I left in the ambulance. From what the guys were talking about, it got kind of messy. I won’t push her for information, that’s up to her if she wants to share. Avalanche walks over with coffee, which shocks me, I didn’t even see him leave. Sadly smiling, he tells me—on her way home—Cook dropped them off with some sweets to keep us sugared up. When Kon hears that he sighs, until Avalanche reaches for a bag and hands it to Kon.

“Cook said this is for you and your brothers. It’s her sugar-free apple pie.”

Thanos’s head pops up before he jumps out of his chair, leaving Stefanos to fall down on the chair next to him face-first. With his arms outstretched, Thanos is wiggling his fingers.

“Come on, Kon man, give me a piece. I’m starving.”

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