“Are you going to eat withusthis evening, Luo?” Splat asked, with obvious malice.
“Chill out, man,” he replied. “If you’re so desperate for my attention, there are more attractive ways to seduce me.”
Splat whipped him with his t-shirt.
Zeke’s eyes magnetised to a large patch of dark brown, textured skin on Splat’s chest that reminded him of tree bark. A burn scar?
Unlike the others, Zeke waited until he was in his shower cubicle to remove any items of clothing. As soon as he locked the door, he sat down and peeled each item off, groaning through the stabbing pain caused by having to bend in certain directions. He remained sat on the floor for his shower, resting his head against the icy wall. How had he only been in this place for less than twenty-four hours? It already felt like a lifetime. He listened to the sounds of Squad E showering, chatting, changing, and then finally leaving. Once dressed, he leaned against the door, praying nobody would think to wait for him.
Soon, the only sound he could hear was a voice he thought was Habib’s, humming a song under his breath.
“Oh, hey, Noah.”
“Where’s everybody else?”
“Fire pit. Were you running Wolf?”
“Yep.” Noah said, then groaned. “I think I’ve hurt my hamstring again.”
“Are you going to go ask Doctor Herbert to check it out?” There was a teasing tone to Habib’s voice now. “Aphysicalexamination?”
“Shut up.”
“Nobody would blame you if you went for it, man. If anyone needs some release, it’s you. It’s been far too long since you’ve got any.”
“You are far too invested in my love life,” replied Noah, but not unkindly. Zeke squirmed. What would they think if they noticed he was still in here? Would they think he was deliberately eavesdropping?
“Seriously though. It’s been over twelve months since—”
“It’s been eighteen,” Noah quietly interjected.
“Nobody would think badly of you. That’s all I’m saying.”
There was a long, uncomfortable pause. Finally, Habib cleared his throat. “Sometimes I think you’re punishing yourself for not letting Splat and Meredith get together. That was the right call, you know.”
“I’m not,” said Noah, irritated.
“Anyway,” Habib said. “New topic. What do we think of the newbies, then?” Zeke considered putting his fingers in his ears, unsure of if he could handle what was about to come out of Noah’s mouth. “Splat just told me the kid was rude to you today.”
“He’s not a kid, Hab.”
“Sounds like he’s acting like one. Actually, he reminds me of a puppy. Scared and hiding under the sofa. But if he’s being a dick to you… Want me to impart some words of wisdom on him?”
Zeke’s heart thudded. What would that entail?
Noah sighed. “Both of them are doing their best, under the circumstances. We literally ripped them from their lives against their will yesterday. We can’t blame them for not jumping for joy at being thrust into a job they didn’t sign up for.”
“Well, someone needs to replace the numbers. We’re bleeding out.”
“Talking of the fresh blood, did someone walk Zeke to the fire? He might not know we hang there before dinner.”
“I’m sure the puppy’s fine,” Habib said, and Zeke imagined him rolling his eyes. “He’s not a kid, remember? You’re going soft in your old age. Don’t let Newman catch you being nice. He was talking shit about you again to Squad C, according to Luo.”
“I wish he’d stop eating with them.”
“He’s just trying to chat up their girls. Every member of K has already shot him down, so he’s had to jump ship. Although, now that Frankie is here…”
After a few more minutes of idle talk, their voices finally drifted past Zeke, down towards the exit. Breathing a sigh of relief, he dragged himself out of the shower cubicle.
