Jason nods at us. “As soon as you’re released I want you gone.” With his cold words he leaves.
I hold onto Annie’s hand and I put a brave smile on my face. “You’ve been like a mother to me. Thank you so much for all you’ve done.”
Her chin trembles and she places a kiss to my forehead. “Don’t listen to the boy.” She gives my hand a squeeze and then she sets off after Jason.
“The doctor said you should be able to leave tomorrow or the day after, depending on the wound,” Damian says suddenly.
“What’s one day?” I look at the only person who hasn’t left me yet, not even when I shoved him away. “Take me home, please … now.”
He rubs a hand over his beard and his eyes dart to the door. “Fuck this. Let’s go home. Let me just get a nurse.”
He walks out of the room to go find a nurse while I struggle into a sitting position. There’s a hollow pain in my abdomen that serves as a reminder of what I’ve lost.
When Damian stalks back into the room, there’s an upset nurse behind him. “Sir, she can’t leave without the doctor saying so.”
Damian swings back to her and I see fear flitting across her features. “Take out that IV, or I’ll do it myself.”
Her lips set in a thin line as she comes over to me. I swing my legs off the bed and then she places a hand on my knee. “Wait for the doctor, please.”
I smile as best I can and then shake my head. “I want to go home. Just take it out and leave. Say you didn’t see us.”
“Just so you know,” she huffs, clearly upset with us, “I’m not agreeing with this.” She pulls the needle from my arm and I wince, which makes Damian take a step closer to me.
“What are you going to wear?” the nurse asks and she gets a smug look, like she’s won.
Damian takes the blanket from the bed and throws it around my hospital gown clad shoulders. The nurse is just about to open her mouth again when he yanks his wallet out. He throws a couple of dollars on the bed and then he shoves her away from me.
“Time to go home, Gorgeous,” he whispers. He wraps the blanket tightly around me, and then he picks me up. Without sparing the stunned nurse another glance, he stalks out of the room.
I avoid any eye contact with the people around us and keep my eyes on Damian’s chest. When we’re out of the hospital it hits me that I won’t see Annie again. I’ll miss her so much.
I’m so tired of never getting to say goodbye to people. They always just fade into my past.
Damian~
I drive until I feel that we’ve put enough distance between us and that town. I find a motel and when I turn off the car, I take a moment to look at our surroundings.
It’s close to midnight and the parking area is quiet with just four cars.
It’s dark in the car and I hate leaving Cara here, but I need to go get us a room. “I’ll be right back.” She doesn’t answer me and I get out quickly. I make sure to lock the doors, and then I jog to the office.
The place is filthy and run down, but it’s the best place to hide. People don’t notice you around places like this. They’re too busy dealing with their own shit.
The man at reception doesn’t make eye contact as he comes to stand in front of the counter. “What can I do you for?” he asks, either half drugged or half asleep.
“One room for one night.”
He checks me in and gives me a key. I rush back to the car and quickly take my bag from the trunk. It has the first aid kit in it and I’ll need it for Cara. I unlock her door and when I have it open, I pick her up. Her head falls to my chest and for a moment I think that she’s asleep. I glance down and see that her eyes are open. The only life in them is the tears shinning in the dim light coming from the dingy motel sign.
I walk to our room and let her body slide down mine. “Just lean into me while I unlock it,” I whisper. Her hands are fisted in the blanket but she leans into me. At least she’s still with me.
I quickly unlock the door. I move us into the room, and then lock the door behind us. I switch on a light and then help Cara to the bed. I close the curtains and then I get the first aid kit.
I sit down next to her and only then do I take a deep breath.
What a fucking mess. We’ll have to get new identities. I have so much cleaning up to do so they won’t find her again.
I rub tiredly over my face and take a moment to close my eyes.
“I keep losing people,” she whispers brokenly. “I just keep losing them like they’re a set of keys or a sock.” She sniffles, and I open my eyes to look down at her.