Page 32 of Living Without

“That and you need rest—”

“I can’t fuckin’ rest when—”

Dodge’s hand came up. “I know, which is why Jase put some sleepin’ pills in your beer.”

“What the fuck?” I yelled and stood, only my feet swayed. I gripped the table.

Stoke said from beside me, “You need sleep, kid, and then we hunt for our girl.”

Nary.

I shook my head, my thoughts confused.

My angel.

Hunt for her.

“He’s goin’ down,” Talon called.

“I got him,” was the last thing I heard.

* * * *

NARY

“Wake up!” The yell came with a rough hand shaking my shoulder. Blinking my tired eyes open was hard. Then reality crashed in, and I scooted up to press my back against the wall. Stan was leaning over us. Kelsey was on her back next to me with lowered, scared eyes.

“You.” He pointed to me. “Baxter wants you showered.” He stood and looked behind him. Two men stepped up and dropped two trays to the floor. “Eat. I’ll be back in five to get you for a shower.” The men walked to the door, only they left it open and stood on our side, leaning against the wall. At least we were able to see what we were eating. I looked down to the trays. They held bread, a stew of some sort, and pudding. Kelsey slowly sat up. Both our hands shook as we pulled the trays towards us.

“Eat slowly or it’ll come back up,” she warned.

Nodding, I took a bite of bread and nearly moaned as it slid down, dropping into my very empty stomach.

“Why would they want to feed us now?” I asked on a whisper.

She smiled sadly at me. “T-they found a buyer for you.”

My stomach churned, and I felt the second spoonful of stew threatening to come back up. Tears pooled in my eyes, and as I looked to Kelsey, she cried silently as she nibbled on her bread.

“I won’t leave you,” I told her, my hand taking her free one.

“You have to, Nary.”

“No. We’re in this together.”

“I-if he’s good, a good owner maybe somehow… I don’t know, get him to find me some help. I can, I think I can hold out for a little longer.”

“Kelsey—”

“No, p-please, Nary. For your sake, go along with it. Please.”

“What are you two whispering about?” one of the men barked from the door.

“Nothing,” Kelsey replied. She squeezed my hand before letting go and went back to eating.

I wasn’t sure I had it in me to go along with everything knowing I was leaving Kelsey behind. It hurt too much to think about it.

My eyes flicked to the door as Stan stood there; it hadn’t even been five minutes. “Seeing Baxter first then shower. Now.”

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