Page 17 of Say You'll Stay

“Oh. Thank you. I’m feeling much better.”

“That’s good news. You were pretty out of it at first, but nothing some rest and food won’t fix. Try to up your protein intake and no sex for at least six weeks.”

He rattles off instructions the way medical staff often does, assuming everything is fair game to talk about. That last line was delivered directly to him, and Cole bristles at what feels like a clear insult.

“What kinda jerk do you think I am that you even gotta say that?” he growls.

Andrew holds up his hands in surrender, his eyes traveling to the bruises on Olivia’s arms. “It’s standard advice.”

“It’s not what you think,” Olivia tries. “Cole isn’t the one who—”

“None of my business. As I said, just standard instructions. You got a perfect storm right now that landed you in that bed. Take care of yourself, okay?

He means well. Probably thought he was doing her a favor by telling him outright he shouldn’t try anything when he thinks she can’t say it herself, but the whole room is stuck in a thick, awkward haze and if Cole could crawl through the floor to escape, he would.

“I’m trying to. It’s rough out there,” Olivia replies. “The world is sort of ending, you know?”

“I’ve noticed. Fair point. You two got enough food? Need anything?”

“We’re good,” Cole answers.

“Bedside manner is lacking,” she says after they’re alone again. “But could be worse. I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve that.”

He hums out an absent sound. “It’s fine.”

“Are we staying for a while?”

“Few days for sure. He’s right, you need the rest. We both do, but we don’t know them yet.”

She nods, glancing toward the hall. “Are we prisoners? Can we move around?”

“I don’t get that vibe, but you heard the orders. Gotta rest.”

“I can’t sit here all day. My legs will go numb. I’m good for a short walk. Let’s check this place out?”

He relents because, of course he does. After she spends a few minutes using that fancy running water to clean up the baby, they head out into the hall.

They haven’t taken his weapons, which is either a show of trust or a massive oversight. Thankfully, he hasn’t needed to use them yet, but the weight of his pistol is a welcome reassurance. He sticks as close to Olivia as he can without tripping her. If she minds, she doesn’t say.

He’s certain that he looks about as stupid now as he did in that alley, growling about not touching hiswife.

When they wander into an auditorium filled with people, Olivia and the baby may as well be a cure for the virus for how quickly the patients flock to them, lavishing attention on Lucy, who responds with one of those gassy smiles.

“You a hostage, too?”

It’s a joking question asked by a man at the opposite end of a game of checkers.

“Better not be,” Cole replies. “You are?”

“Nah. I got separated from my people. Tried to loot this place a few days ago and now…here I am.”

“They’re treating you, okay?”

“Sure. Dunno why. Figured every decent person was longdead by now.”

Cole squints. “Does that mean you aren’t decent? Did they make a mistake in helping you?”

“No! That’s not what I meant. I’m grateful and I’m sure you are, too.” His eyes dart back and forth as if searching for ghosts in the shadows.

---