Page 8 of Survivor
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By the time I got back to the ship, I’d had the opportunity to think things through. If I told the guys about this gauntlet thing, they might roadblock the idea. But if I was already picked as a contestant, then they’d have no choice but to go ahead with it.
Like Vartin had said, tomorrow was the last pit day. The last chance for this Braker Rock guy to pick a contestant.
I needed to be the one he picked.
I’d do the pit fight. If I failed, then no harm. If I won, then I’d come clean. I could do this. Just one more day of hiding shit from the others.
They’d done so much for me, working their fingers to the bone the last couple of weeks while I hid out like a coward. It was time to take the reins and do my part.
Plus, kicking ass was something I’d been trained to do. It was what the Trads had molded me into, and it was what I’d use to get away from them.
Again.
Back in my regular ship clothes, face washed, I made a pot of coffee and sat at the table to wait for my guys.
* * *
Lore had a fever. Not a run-of-the-mill fever but a delirium fever. Tide had hauled him in a half-hour early. The Athion was in a bad way.
Tide went to lay him down on the shitty metal bed frame, but I diverted him to my nook with the comfortable mattress.
Lore moaned softly, his eyes closed, his brow beaded in perspiration.
“The cut is infected,” Tide said. “We need medication.” He grit his teeth. “It’s expensive.”
“It doesn’t matter how expensive. Just get something.” I gently took Lore’s hand and turned it over to examine the cut. The edges were puss-filled and swollen, and his skin was hot to the touch. “Do you know where you can get meds?”
Tide nodded. “Yes. I spoke to one of the other workers. There’s a stall in the hub that sells antibiotic creams and pills. I won’t be long.”
He left quickly, and I turned my attention to Lore. He was burning up. His clothes had to come off. It took a good ten minutes to undress him in his semi-conscious state. Leaving him in only his briefs, I headed to the bathroom to grab a bowl of water and washcloths.
I needed to cool him down.
He sighed as the washcloth skated over his chest and down his arms. I wiped down his face, focusing on his forehead and then turning him on his side to get the back of his neck.
His moans calmed as I pressed the cool water to the insides of his elbows and his wrists and finished off with the backs of his knees and the soles of his feet. I topped up on water and started again.
The door opened, and voices filled the room beyond.
“Rogue?” There was a hint of panic in Vex’s tone.
“In the nook,” Xavier said.
Two heads peered in to see me leaning over an almost-naked Lore while wielding a washcloth.
“Shit.” Xavier pulled back the screen to let in more air.
I pointed to Lore’s hand. “It’s infected.”
“Where’s Tide?” Vex asked.
“He went to get meds.”
Xavier stood up straight. “I have a little herbal tea left. It’ll help with the fever.” He headed off to the tiny kitchen area.
Vex joined me by Lore, concern etched across his handsome face. “I’m going to wash my hands, and then I’ll take over from you.”
