Page 46 of Afflicted

Silas laughs. “Yes, just like that.” His thumb runs up the side of my throat again, back down again, his eyes still fixed on mine. “It’s alright. You’re safe. I promise.”

“My dad was a cop.” The words bubble out of me. “He taught me how to shoot. I-I used to be really good. I was never scared of how loud it was.”

Silas nods. “Well, I know never to cross you then. You and all this sass,anda gun? No thanks.”

I burst out into nervous giggles, and the sound is a little wobbly, tinged with hysteria. “They’d probably just bounce straight off you.”

Silas laughs out loud, his whole face lit up, and if I was standing up my knees would go wobbly. God, this is all starting to mess with my head. I’m going crazy, because looking at him right now I’m convinced Silas is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen in my life. I lift my hand, my fingertips barely brushing his jawline, and he freezes.

“Why do you make me feel like this?”

His Adam's apple races up and down his throat, the tattoos on his neck shifting. “Feel like what?”

I shrug. “Safe.”

The curtain gets thrown back, and Silas quickly straightens up, increasing the distance between us in an instant. Another feeder steps into the cubicle, jerking his thumb over his shoulder as he looks down at Silas.

“The obs tower needs you, come on.”

“Yeah, no worries, I’ll just finish up here and then I’ll be along.”

The feeder nods and turns on his heel, walking away without closing the curtain. Silas looks down at my arm, hesitating for a moment before he starts removing the needle, pressing cotton wool to the vein.

“Here, keep pressure on it for me.” He keeps his eyes down, his fingers lingering, even as I push mine underneath his to keep the gauze in place. His fingers brush over mine gently, and shivers run down my spine. “He…” He clears his throat. “He’s nice to you, isn’t he?”

“Who? Matt?”

He nods, his eyes still fixed downwards.

“Yeah, he is.”

“Good.” He removes his hand from mine, getting a roll of tape and securing the gauze over the puncture in my arm.

My hand feels cold now that his is gone, and I feel so stupid for wishing he’d touch me again. He rises to his feet, tucking his hands into his pockets.

“I’m glad I make you feel safe. You deserve that.” Before I can answer him, he strides out of the cubicle, leaving me alone and wondering what the hell just happened.

* * *

“You OK, baby?”Matt asks me as we clear our plates after dinner.

I sigh heavily. “You’ve asked me that about fourteen times already.”

“Sorry.” He leans against the wall next to me, running a hand through his hair. “You just seem really distracted tonight.”

“Can you blame me? It hasn't exactly been fun around here.” I sound way harsher than I intended to, and I meet his eyes with a shrug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just… worn out.”

He reaches out and rubs my shoulder. “You’re tense, that’s all. I get it.”

I don’t want to discuss my tension anymore, I don’t want to tell Matt about Silas being nice to me and making me feel safe. I don’t need the argument again. Instead I just give him a weak smile and nod.

Matt looks over his shoulder, then leans down close to me, grinning. “I know just what you need,” he mutters.

“And what’s that?”

“Come on.” He grabs my hand, leading me out of the cafeteria while everyone finishes cleaning up.

“Where are we going?”

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