Page 52 of Catching the Kot'oll Driver

He reaches for my hand. I put mine in his hand to make it easier for him. He says, “I know you’re passionate about that.”

“But it doesn’t mean I’ll do a great job.”

“You’ve been working hard.”

“But that’s not enough. I’m still... There are still things I’d never overcome despite how hard I try.”

He rubs the back of my hand. “But there have to be things you can do better than everyone.”

“What’s that?”

He swallows and blinks. “Um... Something? We barely met, so... But I think you can figure it out. I believe in you.”

“You know what? I was hoping I could protect you in the fight when I’m the one who is trained for combat and issues, but turned out... you were just better at that.”

He lets out a soft sigh. “If I were that good, I wouldn’t be here on the bed. I tried my best. What did the doctor say about you?”

“I’m fine. They checked me and that’s all. The police are coming to get a statement from you soon.”

He sucks in an abrupt breath. “Am I getting into trouble?”

“No. Your case is a clean self-defense case. You may have to stay for another day or two, in case the procedure takes longer because of the delay with the snowstorm. But it won’t even leave a mark on your record, don’t worry about that.”

He lets out a breath. “Okay. Is he dead?”

I nod. “Yes. He was certified to be dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. You smacked him hard and he landed on the ground ugly.”

“I...” He lifts his two lower hands. “I killed someone.”

“You saved me and yourself.”

He remains staring at his hands. “But... I know you’re right, but it doesn’t feel right.”

I hold both of his hands, at least he isn’t staring at all four hands, I can’t hold all of them.

He grabs my hand. I wince. He is holding onto me a bit so strongly that it almost hurts. “Oh, sorry.” He shudders and lets go of me. “It’s just... scary.” He gestures swinging a bat. “Like this, and he is gone. He or the others attacking us could have pulled something similar and we’d be dead.”

My heartbeat spikes as he keeps going. He is very right. If I were alone and got caught by those three, I’d probably be dead. I shiver. “At least we were there together. You saved me.”

“Do you know what happened? Or do I have to wait until I give my statement first? Or am I ever going to know what happened?”

I suppose... I can tell him. The file isn’t classified anyway. A few searches on news sites will give him an answer, so there’s no reason to hide things from him.

I say, “We think that it’s retaliation to the police as a whole from a gang. So... Technically, if you weren’t with me, you wouldn’t get hurt.” My stomach sinks as I see his beaten-up arm. “I’m so sorry about that.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“The retaliation? Kind of. Or just plain ol’ gang activity. The city has a pretty low crime rate, but those beings still exist and come out from time to time.”

“I just want to make sure everyone’s fine and you’re safe.” He swallows. “I know I’m not in the position to ask this and I don’t want you to think that I look down on you. But... I worry about you and don’t want to even think about you getting hurt.”

I lift my brows at him. I’m perfectly fine and a few gangsters won’t scare me. But... he was the one getting injured, maybe he is scared and doesn’t want the same to happen to me. “Look, I’m good and—”

He squeezes my hand. “Come to my city. We’re safe there.”

I roll my eyes. “That’s just because you don’t have to deal with criminals. We know bad beings exist on every planet.”

He pauses with his hand still on mine. “I suppose you’re not wrong. My brother is police, but he is in the traffic management department. I suppose it is dangerous for him too.”

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