Page 48 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter
“He’s going to be okay,” Tynan said softly. “The doctor said it was a clean break.”
Malik nodded, running a hand over his head. “I should have protected him better.”
“This isn’t your fault.” Tynan stood, placing a gentle hand on Malik’s arm. “Garrison would have come for us regardless. At least Ian wasn’t alone when it happened.”
The thought of what might have occurred if Ian had been at the workshop by himself made Malik’s stomach turn. The kid was brave but had no means to defend himself against armed thugs.
“I need to call his mam,” Malik said, pulling out his phone. “She should know.”
The conversation was difficult - explaining that there had been a break-in, that Ian had been hurt trying to protect the shop, and that he was receiving the best care. He omitted the supernatural elements and Garrison’s thinly veiled threats about “freaks,” focusing instead on assuring her that he would personally ensure Ian’s safety going forward.
By the time he ended the call, a doctor had appeared to inform them that Ian was ready for visitors. His arm had been setand put in a cast, and painkillers had eased the worst of his discomfort.
They found him propped up in a hospital bed, his right arm encased in a blue cast from elbow to fingers. Despite the ordeal, he managed a wobbly smile when they entered.
“Boss,” he croaked. “Is the shop okay?”
“Don’t worry about that now,” Malik said, his voice gentler than usual. He pulled a chair to Ian’s bedside. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I got hit by a truck,” Ian admitted. “But the doctor says I’ll be good as new in about six weeks.” He glanced at his cast. “Though I won’t be much use to you until then.”
“Your job will be waiting,” Malik assured him. “Right now, you just focus on healing.”
Ian’s expression grew serious. “Those men. They knew about you, didn’t they? Called you ‘rhino.’” His voice dropped to a whisper. “What did they mean?”
Malik exchanged a glance with Tynan. They’d agreed on the drive over to give Ian some version of the truth - enough to keep him safe without revealing the full paranormal reality.
“There are things about us you don’t know,” Malik began carefully. “Things that make people like Garrison see us as targets.”
“Like what?” Ian’s gaze darted between them. “Are you in some kind of witness protection? Former spies? Crime fighters with secret identities?”
Despite the gravity of the situation, Tynan’s lips twitched with amusement. “Nothing quite so dramatic.”
“We’re…different,” Malik said. “We have abilities that most people don’t understand. Garrison and his crew, have made it their mission to drive out anyone they see as ‘unnatural.’”
Ian frowned, processing this. “So the animal territory tags…”
“Are their way of marking people they’ve identified as ‘other,’” Tynan finished. “The rhino symbol was for Malik.”
“Because he’s strong as one,” Ian nodded, as if this made perfect sense. “And they’re watching the shop because they think you’re what? Mutants? Aliens?”
“Something like that,” Malik agreed, relieved at Ian’s simplified interpretation. “What matters is they’re dangerous, and now they know you work with us.”
“We can find you another job,” Tynan offered gently. “We don’t want to lose you, but we could find you somewhere safer. Where you won’t be associated with us.”
“No way.” Ian’s response was immediate and forceful. “I’m not leaving because some psychos have a problem with you being different. I don’t even understand how they can think that, but that’s discrimination, plain and simple.”
The loyalty in his voice made Malik’s chest tighten. “Ian, these people aren’t rational. They hurt you once, and they could do worse.”
“Then we fight back,” Ian insisted. “Or go to the police. Or something. But I’m not abandoning you guys.”
“Your mam would never forgive me if something happened to you,” Malik pointed out.
“My mam raised me to stand by my friends,” Ian countered. “She’d expect nothing less.”
Tynan leaned forward. “At least think about it, Ian. Take some time while you recover.”
“I have thought about it.” Ian’s gaze was steady despite the pain medication. “Whatever you two are, whatever abilities idiots like Garrison think you have - I don’t care. You’ve been better to me than most ‘normal’ people I’ve known. I’m staying.”
