Page 107 of Brick's Retribution

Kelsey stands with a stack of blankets, Astra beside her with what looks like bags of clothes.

Even some of the kids are there, held back by their parents but watching with curious eyes.

"Let's get them inside," Ruby instructs, but her voice is gentle. "They need medical examinations first, then we can worry about everything else. Kelsey, can you bring some of those blankets? The plane's air conditioning had them all freezing."

But as we help the women from the vehicles, Valeria suddenly doubles over with a cry of pain.

Ruby's at her side immediately, her experienced hands checking for obvious injuries. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"

Valeria's response is barely audible, but I catch it: "El bebé... perdí el bebé hace semanas. Duele... it hurts."

The baby. She lost the baby weeks ago.

Ruby's expression shifts to one of profound sadness as she and another medic carefully guide Valeria inside. "We'll take care of you, honey. We'll make the pain stop."

A miscarriage—another layer of trauma these monsters inflicted.

And she's been carrying that pain, that loss, without any medical care for weeks.

Everyone gets inside and they’re all seen by the medics, and even a doctor Alejandro arranged to be here waiting at the clubhouse.

It feels like the medical examinations take hours.

I pace the common room, getting updates as they come while trying to coordinate with Amara on any immediate needs.

Boulder's wife, Kelsey, has taken charge of organizing the clothes and toiletries, while Astra cooks some food that won't overwhelm their stomachs.

"The young one still hasn't spoken?" Astra asks quietly, joining me by the window.

"Not a word. Her sister says she hasn't talked since..."

"Since she watched her parents die," Astra finishes. "God. Those poor babies."

Through the window, I can see more club members arriving.

This is what they do—circle the wagons when family is threatened.

And somehow, these five strangers have already become family.

Ruby emerges with more updates about everyone.

Xiomara has bruises consistent with restraint, malnutrition, dehydration, but no serious physical injuries.

Itzel is the same, though her continued silence worries everyone.

Mei has defensive wounds on her arms, signs of fighting back repeatedly.

Valeria's miscarriage appears to have happened three weeks ago, untreated and causing ongoing complications that will require surgery, and a load of antibiotics.

And Lashes—beyond the pregnancy and expected injuries, she's asking for Brick constantly.

I know she’s his best friend, but it does make me feel a little bit weird.

Then again, she’s been through some major trauma. If there had been something going on between the two of them, I think I would know by now.

"Go," I tell him when Ruby passes along the message for the third time. "She needs to see you."

He hesitates, conflict clear in his eyes. "You sure? I should stay with you?—"

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