Page 96 of Caged

Franks shooting me. I couldn’t move to save myself.

Franks falling.

My last thought, before my mind got fuzzy and my head rolled forward was, SSI is here but they’re too late.

BeepBeepBeep. Faster and faster and faster.

Do dead people hear beeping noises?

Peace washed over my mind, erasing my fears.

Chapter 36

Jay

Iexpected to sleep like the dead. But the dark, quiet room and warm, comfortable bed weren’t enough to keep the nightmares away. I jerked awake whenever the door opened, the light and sound triggering memories of Roman’s basement. My mind, half-asleep and fuzzy from painkillers, would brace for what was coming.

My parents, who’d convinced the staff to let them stay overnight, would gently bring me back to the present each time.

None of us had a restful night’s sleep.

When Jamie and Jack came back, with Emily and Meg in tow, my parents went to the cafeteria for breakfast.And a much needed break.

Waking up to your panicked screaming child, even an adult child, couldn’t be easy.

Emily’s hug was gentle, but heartfelt. “I’m glad you’re home safe.”

Meg tried to crush me to death. When she pulled away, she slapped my leg.

“What was that for?” I asked, sounding hoarse from holding back my grunts of pain.And my emotions.

“For scaring me half to death.” Meg sounded a lot like my mom when she let her Mama Bear show. “Don’t you ever do that again.” She wiped away a tear.

I hated being the cause of my sisters-in-law’s stress or worry, so I defaulted to humor and saluted when I answered, “Ma’am. Yes, ma’am.”

Jamie and Jack stood back and watched, matching grins on their faces. My grin would match if my lips weren’t swollen.

Meg snuck me a blueberry muffin and coffee from Grannie’s. “I know how much hospital food sucks.”

I drank half the lukewarm coffee in one long pull before thanking her. “You are my new favorite person,” I said before eating the sweet, perfectly baked muffin in three bites.

“Dude, slow down before you choke yourself,” Jack said.

I let my middle finger answer as I enjoyed the rest of my coffee.

My parents returned to a room full of adults, who looked more like kids who’d just put the lid back on the cookie jar.

“How was breakfast?” I asked, brushing crumbs off my blanket.

“Their muffins aren’t as good as ours,” Ma said, “and the eggs were runny.”

Dad’s focus shifted to the garbage can behind Meg. His left eyebrow rose in question when he saw the Grannie’s sleeve on the cup. “We brought you some coffee. It won’t be as good as your mother’s,” he winked from behind Ma’s back, “but it’ll hold you over until breakfast comes.”

When Jamie finally handed me a backpack, he asked, “Who’s your favorite brother now?”

“The one holding my clean clothes.” I grinned. Getting out of the stupid hospital gown was at the top of my to-do list, just below getting discharged and seeing Cate. “Thank you.”

“We can’t have you walking around with your ass hanging out,” Jamie joked, echoing the thoughts rolling through my head.

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