Page 52 of Salvation

Dr. Anderson shuffles from foot to foot. “Yeah, I figured. Well now that you’re awake, you need to clear out. You can’t be here… people will notice the cars in the lot and whatever you were into tonight to get shot is bound to come out. I don’t want anyone connecting the dots and realizing you came here.

“You need sugar. A lot of it. To replenish your blood. Drink a soda or some orange juice. And eat a candy bar. It’s important.” He stares at me as he says it. I nod with a grimace.

Max helps me slide from the table as I look around for my shirt. He grins. “Your suit and shirt are trash. It all needs to be burned. I’ll take care of that once I get you home.”

Nodding at Doctor Anderson once more, I make it to the door with minimal help from Max though I am very woozy. The corridor seems to shift, and my legs don’t feel that steady. As we reach the lobby of the small clinic, I turn slowly, trying not to vomit as nausea threatens to overtake me. “Your payment will be dropped off in the morning. Untraceable as usual. Thank you again.”

Sighing loudly, he nods. “Of course. I know you’re good for it. Use your resources to find some blood, Gabrial. But in the meantime… you need that sugar. As soon as possible.”

The men are standing, waiting for me to exit the clinic. Two have shoulder bandages like me and one has a dressing over his thigh. The last looks unscathed.

Nodding at them all, refusing to show any sign of the weakness I’m feeling, I say, “Good job, guys.”

They nod back. This is part of the job. They know the risks and accept the consequences. They’re hired guns… with that comes danger. They know it, welcome it, and are compensated for it… it’s the price of making a deal with the devil.

Max notices my situation, though he says nothing to disclose it. He clasps my good arm, inconspicuously helping me across the empty lot before he opens the door and shoves me into the Escalade.

I get as comfortable as I can and lean my head back on the headrest. Dizziness threatens to have me hurling all over the leather of the seats as Max jumps into the driver’s seat, quickly turns the vehicle, and heads back toward Baton Rouge. His voice glides through the darkness. “Here, drink this. I know you hate Coke, but this has sugar, and you need it. Doctor’s orders.”

Cracking my heavy eyes open again, I see the red can he’s holding out to me. I grunt, “You and your Coke. Disgusting. But thanks. I do need it. Can you pop that top? I don’t think I can.”

The pop as the pressure is released from the can echoes through the car. He hands it back to me with one hand as he keeps the other on the wheel. Taking it from him gingerly, I swallow a sip. The sickening sweetness coats my tongue and I gag.

I hate soda.

Why would anyone want to drink this?

We drive for a bit while I drink half of the can. The bubbles from the carbonation combined with the sickly-sweet taste curl my stomach, though I have to admit, it does help with my shakes as it raises my blood sugar.

Great… in one night, I’ve been shot… my face is damaged… We massacred a deranged lunatic and his posse…

I’ve been drugged with morphine… and now I’m drinking liquid sugar.

This night sucks.

As though he can read my innermost thoughts, Max chuckles and says, “What a night, huh?”

I mutter, “Yeah, you said it. What a fucking night.”

Closing my eyes, I sigh. All I want to do is sleep. Something is nagging at me. Though, I can’t seem to remember what it is…

Clarity hits me and my eyes fly open as I ask Max, “Have you heard from Davey tonight? Is he settled with Hope at her house or is she at my place?”

He sighs and I can hear the discomfort in the sound. My blood thickens.

I’m not going to like whatever he’s about to say.

“Yeah, he called when you were under. He’s not with her… she’s with Luke.”

Luke…

She’s with Luke.

At least she’s safe with him… but she’s with Luke.

That does save me having to explain to her that I was shot tonight.

Small blessing, I suppose.

But she’s with Luke…

I mutter aloud, “Fucking fantastic…” and lay my head back.

I don’t even have the energy to dwell on it.

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