Page 132 of Dark Endures

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Where have you traveled?”

That’s an easy question. “Everywhere. If my mom’s new boyfriend didn’t take us somewhere on school breaks, I went with my friends. Through the years I have seen every major monument and all the big cities.

“Do you like traveling?”

That’s a big question. “I don’t hate it. Traveling is good for a holiday, but I wouldn’t want to live a nomadic life. What about you?”

“I’ve traveled a fair bit, but this will always be my home. That sounds cheesy, right?”

Having a home never sounds cheesy. “Not at all.” What I wouldn’t give to have a home. But that’s an impossible dream right now.

A yawn escapes.

“And now it’s time for you to go to bed.”

“I’m already in bed.” I yawn again.

“Now you need to sleep and let your body heal.”

That's all I do. But he’s frustratingly right.

Oh, no.

Winnie braided my hair. There’s no way I can balance long enough to take them out, let alone reach up with my ribs the way they are. “Um. I need some help.”

“What do you need me to do?”

This is so embarrassing. “Take out my braids.” I’m going to kill Winnie. “I’m sorry. Winnie forgot to take them out. And if I sleep in them, I’ll end up with a migraine.” It’s happened a few too many times.

“Sure. No problem. I can take them out for you.” Maddox walks over to the bed and sits down next to me. “Why don’t you lie your head down?”

I tip my head to the side and sink into the soft pillow.

“Do you know I haven’t done anyone’s hair since my grandmother died?” He picks up one braid and pulls the rubber band out gently. “Having her hair brushed was one of the things that would calm her down when she was having a hard day. Sometimes I’d brush it for an hour until she fell asleep.”

Wow. He was just a child when that happened.

Maddox slowly untwines the hair, careful not to pull any out. “I didn’t think I’d ever miss doing that, but when she died…”

“Losing her had to be hard.”

“It was. Have you ever lost anyone?”

“No.” I don’t know whether to be thankful that I never met any of my grandparents or sad that I don’t miss them.

Maddox’s fingers thread through the hair by my scalp, relaxing it from where the braid tightened it down. It’s almost like a little massage. I could get used to this. That’s not good. I’ve got to get out of here!

Getting Out

Mindy

“Well, I’ve got some good news for you.” Barb steps forward from examining the stitches on my backside.

“I need some good news.”

“You’re healing up nicely. You can start sitting down for a few hours a day. You aren’t ready for anything strenuous. Even after we take the stitches out, you’ll need to avoid bending and lifting for a little while. Some of those cuts were very deep, and they need to finish healing inside.”

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