"Heal."Jiprix snorted."I'll never heal."Bitterness clung to his words.
"Sure you will.It'll take some time, but the skin will heal over.You have to let it.You have to rest, have to keep the wounds clean, give your body a chance."
"No.You have to take me back.I can't stay here.She told me to come back, said she left me here to show the monsters what happened when they tried to recruit spies."
"What?"Rourke would never try to recruit a spy.He wanted peace.Everything he'd done, he'd done so they could have peace."You came here.Rourke didn't contact you."
"I know.I made a mistake.But I have to get back, Ezra.Now.I can't stay here."
"You can't leave.You can hardly move, much less walk back."
"We'll steal a car."
"No."Ezra shook his head to emphasize.He couldn't drive, and he would not let Jiprix take one of the pack's cars.
"We'd only borrow it.They'd get it back.I have to get back, Ezra.Please."He dug his fingers into Ezra's arm."She'll punish me more if I don't come back as soon as I possibly can."Fear was shining in his eyes.Jiprix didn't fear anything.
Ezra didn't like this.A knot formed in his gut, and he tried to untangle himself from Jiprix's grip."You're not in any shape to drive.You need to rest."And Ezra could help him.This was what he did.He wasn't a healer, but he could help Jiprix rest, could help him get what his body needed to have the best possible chance to recover.
"It's only a short way.I think I can do it.If you can get us a key, we can go, and you can be back here before they know you're gone."
"I can't drive the car back."He'd never been in the driving seat of a car.
"Leave it there, and I'll drive it back in a few days when I'm feeling better.You can hike back, right?It's not too far.Please, Ezra.I have to."
Ezra hesitated.He didn't want Jiprix to get in more trouble, and he was sure the pack could function without a car for a few days.They had more than one, so with some planning, they'd be fine.He believed he'd find the way back here.He'd follow the road.Maybe Rourke's meeting would be a long one.He might make it back before it ended.
He fiddled with the chains on his belt, traced his fingers over the gleaming metal.Rourke had gotten it for him for no other reason than he believed Ezra would like it.It warmed his heart.
Yeah, he could get Jiprix home then walk back here and crawl into bed with Rourke, warm and cozy.
"Okay, let me see if I can find a key."
"Thank you, Ezra.I'll make it up to you, I promise."
Ezra nodded and snuck out of the hut.He hoped he wouldn't come across anyone as he walked back into the main building.He'd seen a key cabinet in the kitchen next to the coffee maker.It would make sense if they kept the car keys there where everyone could get to them.
* * * *
Rourk was growing itchy.What was taking Ezra so long?He drummed his finger against the table, and tried to listen to what Geri was saying, but ended up squirming in his seat.It was as if there were pinpricks underneath his skin.
"Rourke?"
He jerked at the sound of his name and looked at Due who had spoken."Yeah?"
"Is something wrong?"
Wrong?"What do you mean?"
"You don't usually change position every other second, and you don't drum your fingers."She pointed at his hand, and Rourke froze mid-tap.
"Is Ezra okay?"
He didn't like how slowly she spoke."He's with Jiprix."But he should've been here by now.
A car started outside.The red Ford, if he heard correctly.He might not have noticed had it been midday when the house was bustling, but this was a strange time for someone to drive.He looked around the table, and a moment later, Ulric blew out a breath.
"Witches left."He held up his arm which looked normal."It's been driving me insane to have goosebumps the entire time Jiprix has been here, but now he's gone."
