Page 10 of Fragments
“Russo’s gonna want him here, if that’s the case,” Kang says.
Ren nods, his eyes flitting to the doorway when Rook walks by.
“To be continued,” Ren murmurs, grabbing his clothes and rushing out of the showers.
My stomach churns, but I push past it, finishing up my shower.
Minutes later, Joy is walking us back to our cells. Just as we’re approaching the last door, it opens and Rook pushes through, stalking past us. His cheeks are pinker than usual, and he’s adjusting his holster. Joy gives him a knowing smirk, shaking her head.
Unease settles beneath my skin, making me a little squirmy. And Ihateit.
Joy brings us into the row, and despite how much I’m trying to fight it, I peer into Ren’s cell. He’s scooping himself up off the floor, flushed and rumpled. I recognize the look right away… the same way I recognize his sounds at night.
Thisanger… I don’t understand it, and that just pisses me off even more. I fucking loathe this goddamn reaction…
I’ve been down this road, and it’s a goddamn dead end.
Ren’s gaze finds mine, from between the bars. And I remember it again…
Sounds of running water…
The grunts and wet slapping.
Stepping around the wall…
And then pain. Like a knife, slicing right in between my ribs.
5 years ago…
“Alright, I’m back.”
“Have a good pee?” The gruff voice gives way to a smirk I obviously can’t see. But it’s audible.
Laughter pings in my ears, and I chuckle. “Why are you interested in my bathroom habits? I gotta say, that’s a weird fetish, even for you.”
Eyes on the giant screen before me, I grip my controller, thumbs working on the joysticks to move my character across the post-apocalyptic terrain.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” my friend Tony, orDamnDatTonyas his username reads, grunts, and a few more bouts of laughter follow.
“It means focus on your own piss, R. Kelly,” I tease into the mic of my headset.
“Snap!” Our friend Reno, akaLuckyShot, cackles.
“Jeez, fine,” Tony grumbles. “I was just trying to be supportive.” I laugh out loud. “But no more! I’ll expressnoconcern for your health.” He launches into some chewing, and I roll my eyes.
“Crazy bastard.”
The controller in my grip rumbles, vibrations signaling that a nuke was just dropped.
“Radiation rumble!” Reno chants.
“Yo, Luthor, stop messing with your house and come join us!” Tony says in between crunching.
“I will if you stop eating in my ears.”
“What are you having?” Reno asks him.
“You even need to ask?” I tease some more. “Frito fuckin’ pie, as usual.”
