Page 38 of Kill Me Sweetly

“Yes.”

“Did you ever talk other times, maybe with some of the boys?”

“Some boys did.”

“What sort of things did they say?”

“Wanted to leave. Cried. Some asked for hugs.”

As if there were any part of my heart that wasn’t broken, another crack formed.

“I think we’ll stop here today, Four. How did you sleep last night?”

He lifted a shoulder. “What you gave me let me sleep.”

“Would you like to sleep again tonight, Four?”

He’d been staring at the floor, but he looked up at Aziza and nodded.

“Okay. I’ll leave it with JJ to give to you tonight, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Aziza left and there was no question Four was exhausted or at least mentally drained. So I put a couple of brownies on a plate with a big glass of cold milk and set him up in the fluffy chair in the TV room. He favored cartoons, I’d found out. Probably because he didn’t know any cartoon monsters, and they were as far from his reality as possible.

I joined Shep and Angel in the kitchen, where Shep was prepping a pot roast for dinner.

“What were you two whispering about in there?”

Angel answered. “Aside from how fucked up that place was, he said ‘the pink house,’ and I know of one place, a Victorian house. It’s Pepto-Bismol pink and obnoxious. I sent a text to the twins to look into it, but honestly, with all they have on their plate, I don’t know if they’ll get to it before it matters.”

I snorted. “I’m sure they were grateful for the added work.”

We all laughed because the twins’ frustrations were great amusement for us.

At dinner we filled in Gabe and Mason on everything that had happened. Four ate, and then I gave him his pill and followed him to his room. I sat on the bed while he changed, no longer needing help. And when he slipped under the covers, he took my hand.

“I didn’t say anything today to Aziza. But at night, in the quiet, I would talk to myself. I’d make wishes.”

“What kinds of wishes?” I whispered in the silence of the room, not wanting to shatter the peace.

“I’d wish for a brother. I knew that word. One kid mentioned he had one at the home. Sounded nice.” He squeezed my hand tighter. “Maybe you can be my brother.”

I leaned down and hugged him with everything I had. “Absolutely, Four. I’d be honored.”

After he fell asleep, I slipped out of the bedroom and into the living room, where everyone was sitting and talking. One thing Four said had gotten me thinking.

“I may know where they’re getting the kids.”

“How?” Mason asked.

“Something Four told me just now. One of the boys talked about a brother he had at the home. Is it possible the consortium is adopting kids and bringing them in to be these weapons and whatever the girls are?”

Noel groaned. “Come on, Nick. Break’s over, now we gotta dig into orphanages.”

“This is bullshit.” Nick stood. “When this is all over, you’re all being taught computer skills.”

I didn’t say anything, but I silently hoped we’d all be here when this was over.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

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