***
Rocko
Apollo’s office was conveniently directly below the bedroom Rocko was currently recovering in.He’d awoken to a conversation filtering up through a vent beside the bed.It seemed Apollo hadn’t realized conversations held in his office could be heard in his bedroom.
Initially, Rocko had wanted to prove himself useful to this new team to find his place, but now that Griffin and Apollo had determined him to be of use, it all felt wrong.In truth, he wanted to be wanted by these people, not simply be a means to an end.Sure, you can stick around because you help our leader perform better.
Damn.Now what?
CHAPTER EIGHT
Rocko
“Hee-haw.”
Rocko woke with a start.
“Hee-haw, hee-haw.”
He bolted upright in bed as bright sunlight filtered through the room, making his eyes burn.Rocko twisted to stand, quickly realizing he was no longer in pain.He stretched out his arms and flexed his legs, and for the first time in days, every part of his body responded properly and without pain.Of course, he was stiff from being laid up in bed for so long, but other than that, Rocko was back to his usual self.Thank God, or more specifically, thank Renee.
Rocko was now dressed in sweatpants and a T-shirt he recognized as his own.Shit.They’d gone to his trailer, retrieved his clothing, and likely viewed his empty whiskey bottles.He felt a twinge of shame at that.Drowning his insecurities in alcohol wasn’t really how he wanted to be seen.It showed a weakness he couldn’t afford to show.Even his leaving the compound was up in the air now that he’d been deemed some wonder drug for their leader’s mental health.He couldn’t make this shit up if he tried.
Though his loneliness still ate at him, he didn’t want to be kept around for that reason alone.It was well past time for him to not give a fuck.He stood up carefully, and when he didn’t fall down, he moved slowly to the wall and picked up his boots.He slid them on and glanced out the window.
“Hee-haw.”
The scene before him had drastically changed since the last time he’d seen the compound.The barn was complete and substantially bigger than he’d originally imagined.Cows, chickens, and a very talkative donkey roamed the now-fenced-in pen area, getting a lay of the land.He could see six cows, well over ten chickens, and the donkey that needed a new home before being sent off to be made into kibble, which Ellen had adopted.
Rocko couldn’t help but smile at the sight.He headed for the bedroom door.After a quick stop in the bathroom on the landing, he made it down the stairs—holding on to the banister for dear life in case— and onto the porch.It felt good to have his body back under his control and moving without pain.The sun warmed him as the weather seemed to have turned a corner in the past week.He sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out.Ellen sat outside, reading a book.She put it down and smiled when he appeared.“You look better,” she said.
“I feel better,” Rocko chuckled.“Being able to move again without pain is unimaginably satisfying.”
“I’m guessing it would be.”
“I see your new guests have arrived,” Rocko said, pointing toward the livestock.“How are they settling in?”
“They’re doing great, but the chickens keep managing to break out whenever they’re left alone.I don’t know where they’re finding the escape route, but they keep doing the Houdini.”
Rocko couldn’t help but laugh, imagining these feathered magicians wreaking havoc and the crew having to chase them around the compound.
“Let me have a look at it.I’m pretty good at finding things,” Rocko said.
“That’d be great, thanks.”
“Where is everybody?”Rocko asked as he glanced around.
“Rosaline is in the kitchen.I know, big shock.Renee is currently in talks with a heifer about her sore hoof.Damon, Blade, and Xavier are down by the lake, preparing the dock to go in because the boat arrives tomorrow.Well, Damon and Blade are.Xavier is likely standing off to the side and quietly watching.Jagger and Ace are finishing the electrical hookup for the barn while Apollo, Griffin, and Hendrix are on a run into town for supplies.”
“Busy place,” Rocko said, but couldn’t help but feel disappointed that Apollo wasn’t around.He tried to shake it off.What did he care?But the feeling wouldn’t leave him.
“My brother would lose his marbles if he came back and found you working after everything that’s happened.”
“I don’t think Apollo cares all that much about what I get up to,” Rocko chuckled.“As long as I don’t cause shit.”And of course, I’m nearby when he needs a quick fix of calm.
“I wouldn’t say that.”Ellen laughed.“Why don’t you grab something to eat, shower, and ease into it.Oh, and you might want to shave.”
Rocko ran his palm over his stubbly face.“Getting a bit scruffy?”
