Page 38 of Ashes

So this was it.

“So we tell her goodbye tonight. Maybe by some miracle she’ll come back to us,” I said softly. “And then she can tell us what really happened.”

“What if she gets worse?” Ashes asked, his eyes bloodshot from trying not to cry.

“She won’t,” I said. “I trust she’s in there yet and will be back.”

Sin sighed and gazed out the window, a muscle thrumming along his jaw.

“And when she’s back, Sin can tell her how he really feels,” I finished, staring at him.

He glanced over at me, sadness on his face. There was something else there too which I couldn’t quite place, but I honestly didn’t have time for it. We needed to see Sirena and make these last moments count. We needed to see Stitches.

We’d deal with whatever the fuck Sin had going on later.

* * *

She lay in her bed,staring at the ceiling, her pretty, mismatched eyes focused on something only she could see. She seemed smaller to me today.

Her parents were speaking to Sully and Dr. Conrad. Cady had just finished feeding her, which based on what I’d seen, was an ordeal because they struggled to get her to open her mouth, chew, or swallow.

“Did she eat enough?” I asked, eyeing the half-eaten pudding cup on the table.

“No,” Cady said, sighing. “But it was more than at lunch, so that’s progress. They’re talking about a feeding tube for her.”

Ashes flinched at Cady’s words and sat beside Sirena. He kissed her hand, whispering to her things I couldn’t hear.

Sin stood on the edge of the room, his eyes focused anywhere but on Sirena, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his uniform pants.

“Are they going to?” I demanded, hating the idea of more shit being tossed at her.

“Maybe. Dr. Conrad said we’d see if she starts eating more this week before they do it. They don’t want to keep force feeding her.”

I looked to Ashes, still clutching her hand like a lifeline.

Fuck. . . come on, specter. Come back. . .

“We’re leaving tonight,” Cady continued. “I don’t want to go, but my mom signed the papers. Sirena will be alone. I’m…I’m scared. Dante. ”

I snapped my attention to her.

“Will you make sure she’s OK? Seth was here with her. He just kept staring at her. He got upset when I wouldn’t leave the room. I don’t trust him.”

“I’ll watch over her,” I murmured. “No one will harm her while I’m at her side.”

She let out a breath. “OK. I-I’ll try to come back soon. Leaving her makes me sick to my stomach. Mom already said goodbye. Jerry the fuck noodle didn’t even look twice at her. I’m supposed to leave now. I-I just. . .” Her voice trailed off. “Just keep her safe. She’s really my only family now that Mom is on Jerry’s side.”

I nodded and watched as she shuffled back to Sirena and kissed her forehead, murmuring words of love and promising that we’d keep her safe.

I glanced at Sin. He was focused on the sisters, a frown on his face.

He caught my eye and looked away.

She would be safe because I’d find out who helped fucking hurt her and they’d pay.

ASHES

Cady left with her mom and stepdad, but not before giving me her cell number so I could keep in touch with her about Sirena. Church and Sin stepped out of the room so I could be alone with Sirena.

---