“This is Cipher,” I said to my brother. I wanted to introduce them, and for Santiago to know I was in good hands.
“Good to meet you, man,” Santiago said. “I’d shake your hand but…”
“It’s cool,” Cipher said. Slouched back in the visitor’s chair, he studied my brother with the same cool, assessing gaze he gave to any stranger.
“Thanks for taking care of my brother,” Santiago said.
“You’re welcome.”
Neither of them said another word, so I broke the awkward silence with, “How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” Santiago said. “Bored as hell, but no signs of the fever.”
“That’s good, and just five more weeks until you get out?”
“If all goes as planned.”
“And if it doesn’t?” I asked.
“Then they’ll keep me in here longer.”
What did that mean, exactly? That if he contracted the fever, they’d keep him here indefinitely? What if he didn’t get better?
“What if the vaccine doesn’t work?” I asked, but Santiago only shrugged his shoulders. “Are you scared?” After seeing what the virus did to our mother, I knew exactly how terrible it could get. I wouldn’t want my brother to go through that. I wouldn’t wantanyoneto go through that.
Santiago shrugged again. He’d always had a habit of hiding his emotions, just like Cipher, in a way. “It is what it is,” he said at last.
I glanced between my brother and my boyfriend, two brick walls in the shape of men, and decided to forge ahead with telling Santiago my plans. “I’m not staying in Atlanta, Santi.”
He sat up a little straighter. “Where are you going?”
“To a place called Promised Land. We’re leaving tomorrow. I’m sorry I can’t wait for you to get out, but you’re welcome to join us when your contract with the lab is up.”
“What’s Promised Land?” he said.
“It’s a commune north of Birmingham,” Cipher said. “We’re going to go check it out, see if it’s friendly, and if it is, we may stay for a while.”
“And you’re taking my brother with you?” Santiago asked, eyes narrowed with suspicion. I wasn’t sure if his reaction was because he was worried about me or because he didn’t think I could handle the trip.
“Yeah, I am,” Cipher said. He knocked his knee against mine and stared at my brother as if daring him to say something about it.
“Can I talk to my brother alone?” Santiago said.
Cipher glanced at me, and I nodded. He squeezed my hand and said, “I’ll be outside if you need me,” then sauntered toward the exit with his typical tough guy swagger.
“How well do you know this guy, Josh?” Santiago asked after Cipher had left.
“He’s saved my life three or four times now, so I’d say we’re pretty tight.”
Santiago searched my face for a moment, then said, “You’re mad at me.”
I shrugged because we both knew it was true.
“I said I was sorry,” he said.
“I know.”
“Is that why you’re leaving?”
