Page 47 of Collin: Episodes 7-9
“Still with me, Collin?”
“Yes, sir.” Collin’s words slurred.
“Ambulance is on its way.” Mr. Reevesworth’s voice came from very close.
“Police,” someone called out as the door opened.
“Here.” Mr. Reevesworth moved away. “That woman threw an unknown liquid on my employee. We will be pressing charges.”
“Mr. Reevesworth, sir.”
“Fuck.” That was Officer Gibbons. Third time was not the charm.
“Mr. Ryker, we have to stop meeting like this.”
Collin laughed, just a little, then doubled over, coughing.
Somewhere Mr. Reevesworth was speaking. “His eyes are burning. We need to know what was in it.”
“His chest is also burning,” Mr. Moreau hollered. Mr. Reevesworth relayed it into the phone.
“Milk.” A stranger approached.
“Let’s try this.” Mr. Moreau adjusted Collin in his arms. “Don’t open your eyes, Collin. We’re going to try to clean away what’s around them first. Do you feel like anything is inside?”
“I’ll help.” Officer Gibbons knelt down on the other side. “You hold him, I’ll pour. No idea what’s on him?”
“Something with tea tree oil in it, I can surmise that much. All right, start pouring.”
Coolness flowed over Collin’s face. There was more dabbing, then more pouring. More bodies came in close.
“My name is Adam. I’m your EMT today. Looks like you’re trying to clean away the oil with milk. Good call. Do we know what else was in it?”
“Smells like frankincense,” Mr. Moreau replied.
“How thick was it?”
“Oil, like a kitchen oil. But way stronger.”
“Okay. What’s your name, sir?”
“He’s talking to you, Collin,” Mr. Moreau said.
“Collin.” Collin turned his head, trying to figure out where the EMT was.
“Just relax, your friend’s got you. I’m going to ask some questions. My partner here is going to keep using the rest of that milk for the moment. Thank you, Officer. Collin, do you know where you are?”
“Atrium, building where I live.”
“All right. Do you know what day it is?”
“Monday.”
“Perfect, how about tomorrow’s lottery number?”
Collin frowned. “Um…no?”
Adam chuckled. “Just checking. Okay. Keep your eyes closed. Someone said your eyes were burning.”
