Page 86 of Homebound
“Doctor, the Perali were killed outside, not in the prison.”
“Yes, of course,” he didn’t sound reassured. His eyes were searching. “Strange situation. Very strange. Would you let me know if you hear a rumor about a Rix here on Earth? You spend time with aliens, you may hear something.”
Gemma’s eyebrows rose. “What would it accomplish?”
“Your name could be linked to breakthrough research that cures people like your uncle. The technology to isolate the right DNA and implant it already exists. All we need is a Rix and a right angle to market my strategy. Who knows, we may even get to travel to Meeus if things get going.”
She tried to look interested like he no doubt expected her to. “Of course. I will let you know, doctor.”
Uncle Drexel’s arm was visibly bothering him. He cradled it close to his chest.
“I don’t think the treatments are working.” He appeared on the verge of crying.
Annoyance flashed behind Dr. Delano’s smart glasses. “Healing takes time. You have two more sessions. With your wounds, I advise two more on top of them.”
“For an extra charge?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“And then what? Will my arm be back to normal?”
Dr. Delano leveled a serious glance at Gemma’s subdued uncle. “Mr. McKinley, much as I’d like to be, I’m not a magician. Your arm will never be the same as it was before your injury. What we are doing here is working to stop Perali poison from spreading so you get to keep your arm. I can always amputate it. Much cheaper that way.”
Drexel’s spine snapped straight and his eyes got round. “I’ll come back. We’ll pay.”
Dr. Delano nodded. “I’m glad you’re seeing reason. Everything that medicine can do for you is being done. But our bodies have limits. We aren’t Rix.”
Chapter 21
In the morning, before going up, Gemma managed to snag a few moments alone with Marigold to get the word out that she was looking to rent a cheap room. Marigold didn’t know of one herself but gleefully promised to ask around. Gemma’s request armed nosy Marigold with a perfect conversation starter. She now had an excuse to pry personal details out of people. She loved that.
Gemma rushed upstairs and stumbled onto the third floor when Ruby and Arlo had just concluded the roll call. Ruby smiled in greeting. Arlo threw her a typical Arlo look that told her to go screw herself.
“Since you have all the time in the world, how about it’s your turn to haul hot water? We’ll wait.”
Gemma shrugged off his snark and went to get the water. She didn’t mind. Let Arlo be miserable and angry. She refused to play into his bad mood.
When the water arrived, the three of them orchestrated the “breakfast” as usual.
The Birdies ignored the offering as they sometimes did if the stress level in the air was too high for them to handle.
The Sakka, on the other hand, sought out Gemma. He seemed to find Gemma more approachable than the other two helpers. He held on to his cup when Gemma came to retrieve it not relinquishing it to her right away and used the delay to convey his grievances in a fast, lisping whisper. His latrine leaked. There was a roach nest under his bed. The new linens she’d brought the other day had a funny smell.
She listened attentively, nodding from time to time. She could hardly help him with his requests but it didn’t seem to matter to the alien. She listened, and that was what he was after.
The Obu was another inmate vying for her attention, but of course, she wasn’t going to holdhishand.
Gemma had to acknowledge that she was feeling jumpy, easily scared. Even before the Perali fight, she hadn’t been able to shake off a feeling of doom. She kept telling herself that it was just everyday stress but what she was saying wasn’t altogether true. Deep down, she was terrified that her time with Simon was running out. How, when - she didn’t know but a dark premonition had settled in her chest that they would soon be torn apart from each other.
When the yard time came about, Gemma could scarcely wait until the inmates went down the stairs before she unlocked Simon’s door. He was sitting on his cot, his back to the wall, knees drawn up. His torn shirt was carefully arranged to conceal his injuries.
“Hey,” she said in a low voice, afraid he’d fallen back into stasis.
He turned his head and her eyes collided with his black stare. Oh, but he was fully alert, coiled on that cot like a snake ready to strike.
She stepped in and approached his cot.
“Are you up for an outing?”
