She trembles through everything. When I wrap her in a towel. When I apply a new bandage to her injury. She’s shivering like a leaf when I pull a fresh T-shirt over her torso.
“Underwear,” I warn when she walks out of the bathroom. I never give a damn when she wants to walk around without panties, but I know visitors will show up whether I like it or not. “Put on some shorts.”
She ignores me and finds a patch on the rug in front of the TV and sits down.
Wet hair in her face, she stares off at the TV like it’s on. Goose bumps run down my skin.
“I’ll make you breakfast,” I say. No response. It’s like that all morning. Notifications come in quick.
Every single person in Isolde’s life either texts or calls me, trying to see what they can do. Even Elijah calls, informing me his wife needs a status update or else.
“Isolde.” I sit down next to her at one point. “Baby?”
An empty vessel stares off into the distance.
CHAPTER 29
Isolde
The world is on fire.
Time comes in bits and pieces. Flashes of discombobulation all pieced together.
There’s a red Persian rug in this new apartment. Someone turns on the TV. I ask about the random Irish guy. Tristan tells me his name is Ian and he’s Cain Murray’s oldest son.
Darkness creeps in, and I fall asleep. The next morning it’s cloudy.
My side doesn’t hurt like I thought it would.
I don’t feel anything.
Jane sits with me on the rug, brushing my hair. She tells me Ren is back in the city and sent a face mask. She asks if I would like to see Ren.
I would not like to see Ren.
I do, however, want to sleep.
Tristan looks perpetually tired, so I think he should sleep too. We should stay here forever, even though deep down I hate it and can’t understand why we can’t go home.
Life is soft oversized T-shirts. Nothing on TV makes sense.
Tristan is suddenly behind me, holding me to his chest,while we watch the nonsense on the TV. My fingers trace the patterns of his tattoo.
I ask if Luis is okay because it occurs to me, maybe he’s having a rough time too. Turns out, he helped Lennie pick out her wedding dress.
Everyone is worried. Everyone is freaked out.
There is a Spider on the loose.
Tristan looks at me funny when I start to laugh. But all I can picture is a giant spider taking on New York City much like King Kong did.
Sometimes I hear him murmuring in my ear, calling me Iz baby. His chest is strong, and I like it when I’m in between his legs, leaning against him.
“Do you believe in ghosts?” I ask. I don’t know how many days have gone by.
Tristan stirs, one of his legs stretching out. I’m sure the sofa is more comfortable, but I like the red Persian rug.
“Like actual ghosts? Or the things that haunt you.”
