Page 32 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

Yeah. They are not hospital porters. The doctor has called for fucking security.

“Sorry, lads, but that’s just not happening. Let’s not get ugly about this, but I didn’t do that to her arm.”

“Fine, we never said you did, but you’re still going to have to wait here.”

I look over at East who is going purple with rage. I don’t know who she’s going to yell at, but I’d put money on it being me.

“I just want to go with my wife and make sure she is okay.”

“The answer is no, sir,” the other ‘porter’ chips in.

“Stop it! All of you! I want my husband to come with me. He didn’t do this, okay? So, whatever that do-gooder doctor said, he didn’t do it!” she yells. Oh well, I would have lost my bet. I can’t help but smile at her. I pick up her good hand and kiss her palm.

“Okay, lovebirds, let’s get you to x-ray, then.” The first porter takes control of the wheelchair.

“Hey, hang on a minute.” The second porter stops. “Aren’t you...?”

“No, I am not Drake.” I huff. I wondered when someone was going to mistake me for him.

“Ah, shit, man, I know that. You’re Zed O’Brien, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, do I know you?”

“Yes and no, but I feel like I should be thanking you.”

“Why?”

“You and a guy called West saved my life. My sister and I were abducted from the streets of Mexico City, and we were being sold as slaves when you and your gang saved us. Your family gave us an education and a family who loves us. My sister is a doctor here now, and I am a police officer. I work here part time to help out with domestic abuse victims.” His pride for his sister makes me feel proud, and looking at the guy in front of me, I can see now why he was so forceful earlier. A guy with my own morals.

“Ah, man. This is all making sense now. You’re East. You’re West’s sister.”

East and I stare at each other.“Shit.”

“Yeah, but us being here is a bit of a secret. Can you please not tell anyone?” East flutters those damn lashes and, yes, he crumbles.

“Of course. I have never seen either of you. Have we?” He nudges the other porter who shakes his head in response.

East is taken into the x-ray room, and I prepare to sit and wait. The porter, however, takes a seat next to me.

“Don’t you have other patients you need to ferry around?” I ask.

“No, we have instructions to stay with East. I know you’re not a threat to her but, hey, man, it’s so cool to meet my idol.”

“Your what? Idol? Why the hell am I your idol?”

“I told you before. If it wasn’t for you and West, we would be dead now or worse. That’s why I became a police officer. I wanted to go in the Army and follow in your footsteps, but my sister didn’t want me to go to war or get killed on the front line. I’m all she has left, so I decided to join up with the police and stay closer to home. She’s married and got two kids now, so she doesn’t really need me, but I hang around. One day, I’ll leave here and maybe travel a bit and see the world. But it’s all thanks to you guys.”

“What’s your name?”

“Mateo. My sister is Sofia.”

“How old are you?”

“I’m twenty-four, and Sofia is twenty-seven.”

“How many years ago did we help you guys?”

“It’s ten years next month. We always celebrate our freedom.”

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