“Uh…yeah. Anytime.” He backed away one slow step at a time and made his way back to the truck. I began to refuel. I was feeling a little better after getting some more water in me.
Sophie wrapped up the draw from Claire. She filled two vials for her and Henry, along with a partial bag for Nick. “Here, sit back. I’ll get you something to eat in a second.” Sophie helped Claire sit back in the truck. Then she rushed over to Henry. He helped Nick sit up, but he was still behind him, restraining him in a bear hug.
“Open up, already.” Sophie began squeezing the fresh blood into Nick’s mouth. Once he drank it all, he started to relax. Henry loosened his grip on him, but was still taking precautions until Nick calmed down enough to maintain an even temperament.
Finally, when Henry was able to let him go, he came over and sat down next to me against the ailing fence. Sophie handed him the vial she drew for him.
As I watched, Nick rolled onto his back. He looked like he was in ecstasy. He lay on the ground with his eyes closed, enjoying what looked like a high. I looked at Henry, who had started to tip back the vial. “Don’t you dare drink that in front of me.” I was angry, but then I could see the shame on his face. I knew it wasn’t his fault he was that way, but I was so pissed at him for everything. He started to get up and I grabbed his arm. “Wait. I’m sorry.” He looked at me with great uncertainty, and then sat back down. “I know this isn’t your fault. It’s fine.”
“Are you sure?” He had hope in his voice and his eyes.
“Yes.”
Henry tipped the vial back. I shuddered, and my stomach started protesting. I fought to keep the food down. I could see the euphoria on his face. I had seen that face in more compromising situations. A low groan rumbled out of his chest. “Fuuuck…,” he said in that gritty voice that always made my panties hit the floor.
He rested his head back on the fence with his eyes closed for a moment. He exhaled at great length. When he opened them up, they were more brilliant than they were before. He looked at me with concern again. “I’m so bloody sorry for all of this.”
I wanted to accept his apology, but I wasn’t ready to yet. “I need some time.”
“I understand.”
“Can we go and see if my mom is here now?”
Henry stood up and held his hand out to me. I grabbed it and he helped me up. He pulled me close so that we were face-to-face. I stared deep into his sorrow-filled eyes. He took my face in his hands. He began speaking to me in a soft calm voice. “Please understand… I love you. I could never stop. It is you that makes me whole. It is you that makes me want to keep going every single day. Having your love captured in here…” He took my hand and put it over his heart, “means so much to me. You rock my world, love. If you weren’t here at this moment with me, I would have sacrificed myself long ago.”
His words tore through me like a jagged arrow. It dug deep into my heart and soul. My sadness flooded to the surface, causing my eyes to fill with tears. I was afraid to speak, knowing that if I did, my words would come out in between my sobs. He wiped the tears with his thumbs. Then he kissed me on the forehead and whispered, “I love you, Elaina Cooper. You have no idea how much.” He let go of my hand, pulled away, and looked around for Thomas. I was absolutely overwhelmed.
I wanted to collapse on the ground, kicking and screaming like a two-year-old throwing a tantrum. I wanted to curl into my own body and cry. Why me? I looked up to the sky, searching, searching for the answer. Why? Why was this allowed to happen? I wanted answers, but I realized I was on my own and I needed to press on.
“Thomas, get out!” I didn’t like the way Henry was barking orders, but I was sure he was still pissed about Thomas taking him hostage and tying him up. He scurried out of the truck and met us on the side of the truck. “Sophie, how’s Claire?”
“All pinked up and pretty.”
“All right. Nick, are you all set?”
He was lying flat on his back, as if he was crucified. He opened his eyes. “Yeah. I think so. For now, at least.” His voice was slow and drawn out. He was still experiencing some sort of crazy high.
“Have your weapons at the ready.”
“Can I get mine back?”
Henry laughed at Thomas’ statement. “Nope. You stay in the middle. I don’t trust you yet.” We walked single file, kindergarten-style, up onto the front porch.
I wasn’t sure if my trembling was from excitement, fear, or my head wound. Henry paused for a second, then quietly said, “No separating. We will search together. Ready, Elaina?” I nodded. After trying the doorknob, Henry knocked a few times, only to get no response. He dug into his pocket for his lock picking tool set.