Page 221 of The Seven Rings
Instinctively, Cleo gathered back Sonya’s hair as she retched.
“She’s gone. She’s gone now. I’ve got you. Can you make it to the couch?”
“Yeah. Yeah. I’m so cold.”
“I’ll build up the fire, and get you water. And we’ll see where you’re hurt. You’re bleeding.”
“She hit me.” With Cleo’s help, Sonya limped to the couch. “Or something did because she was too far away for that. But it felt like a punch in the face. I’ve never been punched in the face, but I’m sure that’s what it feels like.”
Cleo tucked a throw around her, then rubbed Sonya’s hands between hers. “I’m getting your water bottle.”
She dashed to the desk and back. In that short moment, the fire roared up.
“Your nose is bleeding. It’s not broken—I know what that looks like. Your mouth, too, but I don’t see where it’s cut.”
“I bit my tongue. Hard.”
“Okay, where else?”
“Banged up.” Closing her eyes, Sonya let her head drop back. “Slammed me around. I’m going to have some bruises. It would’ve been worse, Cleo, if you hadn’t come. I tried to fight back, but—”
“Don’t worry. I’m going to get water and a cloth, then take a look at the rest of you. And if I saydoctor, you’re not going to argue.”
“You won’t, but I won’t if you do.”
“You’re not alone, Son.”
“I’m okay. Need to get my breath back. And you could add some Motrin to that cloth and water. I hurt everywhere.”
“Done.”
When Cleo hurried back, she saw the spot where Sonya had been sick was clean. It made her eyes sting, that small show of support.
“Here, take these. We’ll fix you up. Where are the dogs? Pye?”
“I’d just let them out. Pye came down as I was heading there, too. She waited for that. I’m betting she waited for that, Cleo.”
Cleo used the warm, wet cloth to bathe the blood from Sonya’s face. “She thought you were alone. We know better.”
“Clover warned me, but it was too late. She closed me in, and she was there.”
As Sonya told her what happened, Cleo looked over every inch.
“Bitch. Vicious bitch. You’re right about the bruises. You’ve got plenty. Including one right here.” She brushed a finger over Sonya’s left cheek. “I want to see if you can walk. You limped before.”
Sonya indulged herself with a long breath, then stood. “Ankle, the right one’s a little sore, but I can put weight on it. That knee hurts a little, but not like it did.”
She went to the desk, picked up her Coke. “I feel like I took a hard fall. Which I did.”
“We’re going down, and you’ll elevate that leg. Do some ice.”
“How did you know to come? Clover?”
“Ice and elevation, then I’ll tell you.”
“You had the BB gun. It worked.”
“Yes, I did, and yes, it did.” Once again, Cleo put an arm around Sonya for support. “And I’ll tell you about that, too. We need to tell Trey. And Owen.”
