Page 96 of Fragments
“How would I know?” Velle puts his hand up to Parker’s throat. “I think so? It’s hard to tell…”
“You assholes really have no EMT training at all?!” Ren barks.
Velle glares at him. “Doyou??”
Ren’s forehead lines, and he bites his lip. “I do, actually. I… I was a trainee. Hold on, let me see him…” He steps over, but Velle shoves him back.
“I don’t have time for your bullshit,” he snaps, then growls at Joy. “Call Johansson.”
“We’re so not equipped for this…” she mutters, pulling her walkie off her belt and stepping off.
My pulse is hammering while I wring my hands.
Parker needs to be okay. I can’t deal with losing another friend.
“Hancock!” Velle shouts, and Officer Hancock, who’s been guarding the exit to the showers, perks up. “Get everyone back to their cells.”
The rest of us get dressed while Velle and Joy haul Parker away, most likely bringing him down to the East, since it’s the only place that’s even remotely like an infirmary.
“He’ll be alright,” I tell Ren.
He’s visibly distraught, and it hurts my heart.
We’re uncuffed as we walk back to the row, I assume because Hancock didn’t have time to cuff us all. When we get to Ren’s cell, he takes my hand, the sudden contact startling me. Before I can process what’s happening, he pulls me inside with him. And to my utter shock and disbelief, Hancock just closes the bars.Leavingme in here.
He must be too distracted to notice… What the fuck?!
I stare at Ren for a second with wide eyes, and he stares back at me, his mouth sweeping into a tiny, elated smile. But he crushes it and clears his throat, wandering over to his bunk to sit down.
“Sorry, I just… I can’t be alone right now,” he says. “With him gone… I’m so worried, Lex.”
“I know.” I take a seat next to him. “Me too.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” he says softly. “You’re all I have.”
His hand slinks over and scoops mine up, threading our fingers. My skin is buzzing, despite the chill in the air. I’m tense, because he’s holding my hand, and now, we’re sitting in his bed,alone, and this is the same thing that happened the last time… When he kissed me.
I peek at him, biting my lip.
He’s not gonna kiss me again…
Ren pulls his legs up onto the bed, then rests his head on my shoulder. My stomach is flipping and flopping like a fish out of water.
We’re just friends…
He’s upset about Parker and needs to be comforted… by a friend. That’s it.
“Can we talk about something?” he hums.
“Like what…?” My thumb grazes his.
“Anything. I need a distraction. My thoughts are running crazy right now.”
“Yea,” I mumble. “What do you wanna talk about?”
He’s quiet for a moment before he asks, “Remember when you told me about your friend? And how you were digging for all this information to maybe help her…”
I nod. “Yea. Leah…”
