Page 6 of Protect Me
I answered.
Wakefulness returned in gentle waves.
First, I heard a low murmur. A woman. Simone, from next door? No, someone else. The tones were expressive, though hushed. The more I focused, the more the sound turned into words. My head cleared.
“No, Vini. He’s just . . . out of it. I called the number on some discharge paperwork and I’m waiting for his doctor to call me back. No. I don’t think he needs 911. I mean, I don’t know? He’s breathing. Color seems okay.”
Vini.
Discharge paperwork.
Fuuuudgesicle.
Regret and a low thrum of frustration washed through me. The pain pills had cleared out of my mind, but so had their numbing effect. My knee ached like a hot poker was stuck under the skin. The pain flared into my ankle and hip like flames. With the agony came clarity. Clarity, I’d take.
Unless it illuminated . . .
Katelyn.
Infection.
My sister and her meddling, Kingslayer ways.
Suppressing a groan, I opened my eyes. Kate stood at the island in my kitchen right across from me. The counters sparkled. Crumbs, wrappers, and dirty dishes had been cleared away. The windows were thrown open, admitting a clean breeze that felt like heaven.
Had she cleaned the glass?
Sunlight sparkled as it slanted inside. A hint of bleach lay in the air. The temptation to shove off the couch, spring to my feet, and demand she leave nearly overcame me. Reality cut down that idea a littletooswiftly. I could no sooner climb to my feet than throw her out. How had I even made it to the door to answer it?
When had I let her in?
Memories were fragmented, unclear.
My hand snaked up to my forehead, feeling it. The fever from earlier had broken, at least. A shower was in order. I smelled ripe as days-old fish.
CouldI shower?
I glanced at my knee next, unable to stop a wince. Though I couldn’t see it now, I recalled the gaping wound with a shudder. Man, that thing was hideous. Bright red, like a tiger had clawed through me, then someone yanked the skin back together with black strings and hope. No nasty drainage was apparent through the bandages now, which I took for a good sign.
Small miracles.
“Yes,” Katelyn murmured into the phone, “of course.”
Slowly, I straightened up. How long had I been asleep? Judging by the cleanliness of my apartment—except for what lay right next to me—several hours. As if that hadn’t been confounding enough, the second shock occurred to me next.
Katelyn Saucony in. my. apartment.
Wondersneverceased.
My gaze roved over her, the best friend of my little sister. Quiet, wide-eyed, like a doe. She stood in profile, sunshine brightening her face, setting strands of light blonde hair on fire. It trailed around her shoulders, halfway to her elbow. She’d shoved her glasses into her hair, keeping it out of her eyes. Long sleeves had been pushed all the way up her arms, as if she’dreallygotten into the act of cleaning my place. One of her arms was bent, the phone pressed to her ear.
“I’ll stay,” she said quietly. “I’ll keep you updated. No, no, don’t worry. Rules don’t . . . those don’t apply here.”
My eyes fluttered closed again, on their own accord.
Rules?
Katelyn ended the call just as I opened my eyes again. She had glanced my way, almost errantly, then did a double take when she caught my gaze.
