Page 32 of Locke

“Let’s get you in here,” Remy says as I shake my head.

“I need to see her.”

“Let Doc do his thing, Locke.”

“Fuck you! I said I need to see her!” Remy looks over his shoulder where I see Gunner standing. I hadn’t seen him there before now, but he nods, and Remy leads me to the spare room. I walk in as the Doc looks up from what he’s doing.

She’s still. So fucking still, it scares me. My throat is too dry to swallow, and my chest aches at the sight of her.

“She hit her head pretty hard. She’s in and out of consciousness. Concussion, I’m sure of.”

“And that?” I ask, nodding toward her side.

“Went straight through. She was lucky. I don’t think anything vital was hit. I’m more concerned about her head,” he replies. I nod my head when he motions for me to leave the room. “I’ll meet you in the room.”

“I’m not leavin’ her.”

“You need to get stitched up, and let me look you over,” he says as I shake my head.

“I said I’m not leavin’ her,” I growl a little louder now.

“Fine. Come lay next to her.” I can do that. I stumble over to the bed and lay down next to her, turning my head to keep my eyes on her while Doc does his thing. Gunner stays on the other side, looking between the two of us. He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t have to.

I reach for her hand, pulling it into mine. I keep her hand wrapped tightly in mine as Doc gets to work on me. I don’t care what he does to me; all I can see is her. She’s here. She’s fucking here, breathing.

“She’s going to be fine,” Doc reassures me. I still don’t look at him.

“You’re pretty lucky your damn self. I’m sure your ribs are bruised, possibly broken. These wounds are deep, but I don’t think they hit anything. This would be easier if we were at the hospital so I can get images.”

“No hospital,” I tell him, keeping my eyes glued to her. I’m watching her chest rise and fall as she sleeps.

“It would be helpful, Locke.”

“I said no. Fix me here.”

“I’m doing the best I can. You lost a lot of blood.”

“Don’t care, Doc. I’m not goin’ anywhere.” He gives up arguing with me and finishes stitching me up.

“The bullet to your shoulder may have torn some muscle, Locke. That will require surgery.”

“Nope. Still not leavin’.”

“You might not gain full use of that arm if you don’t,” he warns. I turn to look at him and give him a nasty fucking look. I don’t care about that, not right now. I care about her. I want to be here with her.

“Fine. That’s on you.”

“You sure about this, Locke? We need you at a hundred percent, brother,” Gunner tries reasoning with me.

“I’m good. Go take care of Hodge.” The Doc stands and leaves the room, leaving us alone.

“You sure about this?” Gunner asks once more.

“I’m sure. I wanna be here, brother.”

“Okay. Get some rest. I’m gonna check on Hodge, and then I’ll be back,” he says. I nod my head as I watch him walk out of the room. Then I turn my head and look back at Kiki.

“What the hell were you doin’ tryin’ to outrun a bullet? Fuck, Kiki. You scared the shit out of me. You can’t fuckin’ do that shit to me, yeah? Never again.” I know she can’t hear me, but I need to say it. I need her to hear me.

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