Page 31 of Tripp

“I’m coming with you, Pops.”

Phoenix came to stand beside me. The nurse looked between us. I said, “Please take us to see her.”

She did. With a glance back at the others, I headed out to follow the nurse. Phoenix bumped my shoulder. “You’re scowling. If you go in there like that, you’ll upset her more.”

He was right. I let out a huff. “Seeing her hurt…it makes me murderous.”

“Like you used to tell me, you can feel it, just don’t show it.”

I clapped him on the shoulder, nodding.

I could do this; vengeance would be mine soon enough.

Casey

My eyes came open slowly. I was startled at the sudden burst of noise that filtered in.

“Ms. Edwards, I’m Nurse Lane. It’s okay. These machines make noises.” She was pressing buttons on an IV machine.

I looked around, a little confused. Had I fallen asleep?

“On a scale of one to ten, one being no pain and ten being the worst pain, how’s your pain?”

It had been null until I’d tried sitting up. Fire licked through my arm. However, it wasn’t as bad as it had been.

“Maybe an eight. I do feel nauseous.”

“I’ll let the doctor know; we’ll get you something for that.” She made a note on a pad lying beside a tablet she’d carried in. “Are you having any vision changes? Ringing in your ears?”

“Um, no. I don’t think so. My head’s pounding though.” I winced, hissing in pain as I touched the side of my face.

“You took a pretty good knock to your noggin; the headache will hopefully ease off once the meds fully enter your system.”

I laid my head back. “Is my family here? I want to see Tripp.”

“I’ll find out. Do you need anything? A warm blanket? Water?”

“No. Just him, thank you.”

The curtain on my hole in the wall shut, leaving me alone. I replayed what had happened. His anger. My panic and pain. I could only hope and pray that Penny was safe.

The curtains opened a little bit later. Tripp came in, Phoenix on his heels. They moved to opposite sides of the bed.

“Is your pain under control? What did the doctors say?”

“Where’s Penny?”

“She’s at Dani Lynn’s place. They’re doing crafts. She’s fine, baby. How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay. Sore. Stiff.” I tried to keep my arm still. Before the x-rays, they’d gotten blood for tests, and tapped me for a urine sample. Now I waited, praying nothing was too damaged.

“The goose egg doesn’t seem as large now.” Phoenix patted my knee. “You’ll be okay. I know it.”

“We need to discuss what happened.”

I looked away and sighed. “He found me, hit me… I got away. End of it.”

He had no time to ask more because the curtains opened. Though that look in his eyes said more than his words ever would.

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