Page 26 of Corpse Roads

Fucking dammit, Enzo. I can’t be thinking shit like that around her. She’s vulnerable and innocent. I’m supposed to be protecting her, not slavering over her like a fucking dog.

“The doc thought it would be a good idea.”

“We can arrange a haircut. But for the record, I like your hair.”

Limping past me, Harlow returns to her hospital bed and grabs the light-blue hoodie left for her to wear. She unclips the sling holding her broken arm, attempting to wrestle it over her head.

“Come here.” I walk over, grabbing handfuls of fabric. “Let me help. Put your head through here, like this.”

When her head pops through the hole, there’s a ghost of a smile on her lips. She lets me pull it over her small body and I grab the sling, slipping it back over her head.

“Thank you,” she says quietly, sliding her broken arm into place. “Guess I’m going to need a hand for a while.”

“Nothing wrong with asking for help. Are you ready?”

“I… I think so.”

Even in borrowed sweats that swamp her legs, she looks better for getting out of a hospital gown. The loose, V-necked shirt beneath her hoodie shows off her collarbones and a hint of scar tissue on her chest.

I don’t point it out. The last thing I want is to embarrass her, and she doesn’t need to know about the photographs. We’ve taken something from her, something irreplaceable. Her choice. If I could unsee those scars, I would.

Harlow sits down on the bed, staring at her feet. I realise that she’s silently crying. Her shoulders are shaking with each sob. A pair of unlaced black Converse wait for her on the linoleum.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know how to do it,” she whispers.

Realisation dawns. I fight the urge to take her in my arms and hold her tight. There’s a certain fire in her gaze, and I can’t wait for her to realise that.

“Here, let me.”

Sinking to one knee in front of her, I ease the Converse over the light bandages still on her feet and loosely tie the laces.

She watches with curiosity, her bright eyes analysing each movement. I have to force myself to look away as her teeth bite into her pink bottom lip.

“Thanks, Enzo. Could you show me again sometime? If that’s not too much trouble.”

Her soft request sends tingles down my spine. I nod, rising to my full height. Hesitating for a moment, her tiny palm slides into my outstretched hand.

“Got everything? You ready?”

Harlow quickly nods. “I have nothing to bring.”

“Then let’s move. Stick with me and don’t speak to anyone apart from myself and Hunter. Got that?”

She gulps before nodding. Her fear hurts me on a bone-deep level. Unable to stop myself, I find my calloused fingers tilting her chin up so that her aquamarine eyes meet mine.

Wide, afraid, the endless blue depths of the ocean stare back at me. Her irises are flecked with the faintest shades of pale green, but it’s the flames of courage that astound me.

“You’re going to be okay.”

“I don’t think... I mean… I’m not sure what that means.” Harlow chews her lip again. “To be okay or safe.”

“Then allow me to show you.”

Cursing myself, I can’t take the words back. I really don’t want to as the most beautiful smile twists her lips, all lit up with fragile hope just for me.

Her hand squeezes mine. “Lead the way.”

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