Page 3 of Shattered Love

Nodding, I motioned for him to continue, waiting to feel the tug of pressure. I had removed plenty of stitches in the past few years, but I only had gotten them removed once. However, Aiden knew what he was doing and even without proper tools, I trusted him to not hurt me.

The tug of the strand pulled against my arm and I knew Aiden was pulling them out when a hand found mine. Turning to the right, Murphy gave me a grim smile, purposefully looking away from my arm.

Holding up our intertwined fingers, I asked, “Is this for me or for you?”

“You can tease me all you want, but how this doesn’t make you queasy I’ll never know.”

Laughing at his slightly ashen face, I squeezed his hand tighter in mine. “I’ve seen you gut plenty of animals. This is much less bloody.”

“Maybe so, but I grew up hunting animals. I’ve never stepped foot inside a hospital.”

Aiden finished removing the stitches on my right arm and switched places with Murphy to start on my left, Murphy grasping my opposite hand in his.

Turning back toward him while Aiden got started, I tilted my head. “If it makes you queasy, why are you over here?”

Murphy didn’t answer for a moment, staring intently into my eyes. Emotions coursed through me as his gaze deepened. The feelings of comfort and friendship that had blossomed before our kidnapping, the relief when I had seen him again, and something else. Something that had started to bloom after his lips had touched mine.

Finally, Murphy spoke, whispering low so Aiden couldn’t hear, “You know why.”

Swallowing roughly, I nodded. I did know why. It was for the exact same reason that if he was harmed, I’d be holding his hand as well. There was a tether tying us together, whether it be from the experiences we had been through or something more, and with each day, it was only becoming stronger.

“All done.” Aiden’s voice broke our connection and I turned toward my brother, who gave me a knowing look. “I suggest leaving the stitches in your legs until we can figure the infection out. But I’m sure you’ve already realized that.”

“That I did.” Staring down at my thighs, the red streaks seemed brighter.

Maybe it was because of the worry from everyone about how they were healing. Or maybe because I knew soon we would be heading back toward the source of the injury. Either way, the skin continued to throb, reminding me that if I didn’t get medicine soon, the infection would start to spread and infect the rest of my body.

“Alright, well, I’m going to go help fill up the waters. Do you need any help with the hunting?” Aiden asked, aiming the question at Murphy.

“Rainer and I have it handled. Thanks, man.” Aiden nodded at us both before strolling off to grab the water containers and head to the stream.

Once he left the clearing, I realized Murphy and I were alone for the first time since before the kidnapping. And although the calm I was used to with him washed over me, there was also a nervous energy, like the feeling I had gotten when I was thirteen with my first crush.

Nervous to meet his eyes, I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, staring at our hands. However, Murphy was having none of that and he bent his head down, searching for my gaze. When our eyes finally met, he smiled softly.

“You’ll be okay, you know that, right? We’ll get into town and find you some medicine.”

He looked so sincere, so confident in his words, that I couldn’t help but nod in agreement. Brushing the same loose strand of hair behind my ear, he cupped my cheek.

“I won’t let anything happen to you. Not again.” His eyes darkened with his words, and I knew he was thinking of the night he had fallen asleep during his watch. No matter what Rainer or I said, he wouldn’t forgive himself.

“I know, Murphy. I know.”

Even as I reassured him, the darkness didn’t fade, and my heart ached for the sweet man who had brought me out of my darkness. We had all lost so much already, but I couldn’t handle if Murphy lost the soul of who he was.

Not sure what else to say, I leaned forward, gently pressing my lips against his. Neither of us moved, simply savoring the soft pressure of my mouth against his. After a swift moment, I moved back, Murphy’s hand never leaving my cheek.

“Go hunt with Rainer. I’m going to gather some other things with Mina and Sasha.”

Helping me to a standing position, Murphy finally released my hand, walking away into the woods to find his best friend. And as I walked in the opposite direction to search out Mina and Sasha, I held onto his words. I’d be okay. We all would.

The smell of roasting hazelnuts and seared meat permeated the air, tendrils of smoke blowing into my face. The day had been busy for all of us, trampling around the area to scavenge enough food and water to make the week long trek to Elizabeth and Emmanuel’s cottage.

Aiden and Elizabeth had filled all the water containers to the brim, Emmanuel had caught seven fish, while Rainer and Murphy had managed to take down two large deer. Mina, Sasha, and I had gathered enough hazelnuts to last a lifetime and the few bags we had were laden down with the weight of supplies.

Warner had disappeared for the entire day as he had been doing and I wondered what he was up to. I didn’t have to wonder for long when his long body dropped down next to me, his legs spreading out before us.

“You’re going to burn the soles of your shoes,” I told him, nodding toward the bottom of his feet that were dangerously close to the licking flames.

---