“I know it’s cold, but you need it for the burn,” he told her.
Burn? It was barely even red.
“Right, pull it out and I’ll put this on it,” Ralen said.
Cash gently held her hand while Ralen carefully dried it, then put on some cream and a bandage.
She just stared at them in amazement. Once, she’d slipped over on the tile floor in the bathroom of her childhood house and knocked herself out. Her mother had told her to just get over it.
So this really did seem like complete overkill to her.
“There we go. That should help,” Ralen said as he finished bandaging her up. “Do you want any painkillers, Bat girly?”
She glared at him. Addie didn’t think much of that nickname.
Ralen just grinned.
“No more hot chocolate in a mug for you,” Cash said. “If you want some, I’ll give it to you.”
He picked her up.
Addie had to admit that she was confused by their actions. They’d found a strange woman stowed away in the back of their pickup and instead of kicking her out or calling the cops, they’d brought her into their home.
Gotten her a blanket.
Made her hot chocolate.
Helped her during a panic attack.
And doctored her after a slight burn to her hand that was barely even noticeable.
It was crazy. They shouldn’t be doing this. Why would they even care about her?
Cash carried her back into the living room and sat her on the sofa. She moved into the corner once more, wrapping the blanket tight around her.
Wait! Snaggles! Where was Snaggles?
She glanced around in a panic until Cash held up the stuffed toy. Reaching out from under the blanket, she grabbed him, holding him tight against her chest.
Addie knew that she should pretend to be indifferent. That she shouldn’t let them see her vulnerable spot. But this was Snaggles. She couldn’t do any of this without him.
“So, did you get separated from your friends tonight?” Cash asked. “During the brawl?”
Addie nodded.
“Maybe this would be easier with a pen and some paper,” Ralen suggested, getting up and walking out.
“Hmm. I’ll go get you a glass of water,” Cash said. “You’re probably thirsty.”
Suddenly, she found herself all alone in a strange room, with just Snaggles for company. She glanced around, wondering what the heck she was going to do.
Getting up, she moved around the room. Where had Cash gone? She really had to go to the bathroom. Sometimes it felt likeshe had the world’s smallest bladder. Like her voice, her bladder didn’t do well with anxiety and worry.
Addie walked into the galley-style kitchen. It was empty.
Shoot.
Just go and find the bathroom yourself.
