Page 168 of Bones
We stepped out into a grim scene. Bloody bodies lay collapsed in the snow, limbs contorted grotesquely. I didn’t have to go far to find one still alive. A young teenage boy I didn’t recognize had dragged his body halfway behind a barrel. He had his bloody hands pressed against the gunshot wound in his chest. His eyes widened in terror when he noticed us, but he didn’t say a word. I crouched beside him, but Griz grabbed my shoulder.
“He’s one of Madame’s,” he said in a low voice.
I stared at the boy, and he stared back at me, his nostrils flaring as he struggled to breathe. I couldfeeldeath creeping closer, like an icy breath on the back of my neck.
“Take his weapons then,” I said to Griz as I leaned forward and pried his hands away from the wound, replacing them with my own.
The boy started crying as my healing powers flowed into him, mending his body back together. Griz didn’t try to stop me, he just disarmed the boy of his gun and several knives.
“It’s ok,” I hoped I sounded comforting. “You’re gonna be ok.”
“I’m sorry,” he sobbed, thin shoulders shaking.
“It’s ok,” I murmured, watching the wound close. “Go home, alright?”
He nodded. As soon as the wound healed, I helped him up, grabbing him as he swayed. He glanced between me and Griz and swallowed hard, his throat bobbing.
“I was just followin’ orders,” he whispered.
As he stumbled away, Griz murmured, “I shot him. He was trying to get into the clinic.”
Gods, what was wrong with me? I feltnothing.
I didn't respond, turning and picking a direction at random. We'd only made it about half a dozen steps when a gunshot sounded from behind us and a bullet whizzed past my ear, so close the heat of it brushed my skin. Griz tackled me to the ground, shielding me with his body as more bullets flew around us. He twisted as we fell and returned fire. A strangled cry rang out, then silence. Griz leapt off me and darted over to a fallen body, checking for a pulse. I dragged myself to my feet and followed him, staring down at the dead eyes of the boy I’djusthealed.
“Bones!” Griz snapped, standing back up and scanning me. “Are you ok?”
“He missed,” I mumbled.
“He must’ve grabbed another gun from one of the bodies.” Griz’s eyes flashed with anger.
I turned and started moving again. I knew I should feel angry or betrayed that the boy I’d just risked to save had still tried to kill me, but all I felt was tired. Griz walked behind me, almost on top of me he hovered so close.
“I’m sorry, Bones.”
I picked up my pace a little, hoping he’d get the point that I didn’t want to talk, but he kept up with me.
“You’re a good person for givin’ him a second chance.”
You’d think I would’ve learned by now that good people just ended up dead.
“It’s what Trey would’ve done.”
A sharp pain cut through the numbness, and I whirled on him. “Don’t.”
He stared down at me, his face grave. “He wouldn’t want?—”
Thank the gods we both heard the sound of pained sobs at the same time. I took off, following the sound and trying to convince myself I wasn't running away from whatever Griz had been about to say. I slipped between buildings and spotted a man lying on the ground, clutching his leg. It looked like someone had shot his kneecap out. He twisted to look as we approached, and I stopped in my tracks when I recognized Lem. Behind me, Griz halted as well.
“Bones,” Lem said, his voice shaky, “help me. Please.”
I stared at him, and the bruises he’d put on my face seemed to pulse with pain.
“Bones, please,” he pleaded.
He’d smiled the entire time he beat me. I knew his type well, men who enjoyed hurting anyone smaller or weaker than them. I didn’t know the details of what he’d done to Sky, but it had left her terrified of most men. Despite all that, I still felt nothing. After a moment, I just turned around and walked back the way I’d come.
“Bones!” Lem shouted. “Please! I’m sorry!”
