Forever

Kindled Flame

The door opened, and the guard stepped to the side. Reece poked her head in, and looked at both Hanson, who was standing straight as a stick, and Henry, still trying to find the call back mechanism on the phone. In truth, she thought he looked rather funny, tapping the screen on the phone and holding it close to his face, then starting a little as if he expected it to blow up.

"Jo's not pressing charges. Henry, are you going to?"

He looked up and put the phone down, shaking his head. "No, I'd-"

"Then uncuff him. Go see your friend. One hour, that's all you got. Then I wanna see your ass back here, working with Lucas."

"Thank you, L-"

"Well, uncuff the man!" She said to Hanson, who snatched the phone from the table and took out the key. Without meeting Henry's eyes, he unlocked the iron rings, stepping back. He stared at his wrists and stood, rubbing the joints. A futile attempt to make them feel in the least bit less scraped. He took not that one felt especially bad, like something had been slicing into it and dicing up his muscle. He ignored it, thinking it a result of being chafed. Henry nodded to both of them and left, walking briskly for Jo, who was seated only a few yards outside the interrogation room. He sat down next to her, content to watch the general buzz of the office before her voice pierced the viel of indifference.

"Look, that was the-"

"Stupidest thing anyone on this Earth could ever do?" He tried a smile, and she returned it.

"Yeah." Henry saw dark splotches around her chin and under her left eye. Inwardly, he shuddered? He had done that? He'd made a vow once to never hurt anyone who wasn't about to harm him and his family, and look what he'd gone and done...... Shameful, Henry stared at the ground until she spoke again.

"It was like..... I was mad at the world for taking him."

"Really now? That was exactly what I felt." He looked at her and crossed his legs, lacing his fingers. She gave him a critical look.

"Why do you sit like that?"

"Hmm?"

"Why do you sit like that?"

"Like this? What's wrong with it?"

"You look like an old fashioned lady wearing a dress. You know, like....." She motioned with her hands in an 'I Don't Know' gesture and sat back, smirking.

"This doesn't look like a......" His eyes widened as he realized what she was saying and he quickly put his right foot down, sitting up in the chair. She laughed.

"They do that in Britain?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"It's a matter of choice, you see; Some people do it, and some people don't. Like your iPhone things or-"

"It's a phone, Henry. Not an iPhone thing."

"Whatever they are." He said, smiling. He stood up, ready to walk to the hospital.

"I know where you're going. Would you like a ride there?"

"Yes, I'd very much appreciate that." Henry replied, watching rain begin to beat the windows. It had been cloudy out the whole day, but not enough to rain At least, from what he'd seen.

"I'd like to see how he's doing to." She said, standing and motioning for him to follow.

"You would?"

"You and him feel like older brothers to me. Him, literally, and you.... In the sense of personality."

He knew precisely what she meant.

The visit wasn't very long, and Abraham had shooed them off the moment he saw the two, only to be shocked as he saw the marks on their faces.

"You two duked it out..... In the middle of a professional facility? They have needles and stuff there. Did one of you guys get injected with anything?" He asked worriedly. Henry remembered most of the fight, but unfortunately, he didn't feel like he and been slammed into a needle....... A memory came to mind, where Jo had pushed him forward, knocking him into a surgical table. He had been pushed left wrist first, and felt something akin to being stabbed by a sword in his hand. Heart racing, he pulled his jacket sleeve up and turned his hand, revealing three sharp slices in his wrist, each with razor-like serrations. Something blue coated the inside of the cuts and Jo leaned over, gasping with surprise.

"Did I do that? I'm so sorry, I-"

"No, it's fine. Just a.... Slight... Nick." He said, trying to smile. He felt odd, lightheaded and detached. But he dismissed it. Abraham's brow furrowed and he shared a look with Jo. Henry caught it instantly.

"It's a cut, nothing else." Jo leaned back in her chair, a little relieved. Abraham waved them away.

"Out with you. Go back to work. Solve that case. And keep an eye on him." He added as the Detective pulled Henry out the door. They went out to the car, running a little to get there without being soaked.

"You tripped and fell twice on the way here." She said, turning on the heater. Henry closed his eyes and leaned back against the seat. He wanted to ask her to put the AC on, but felt it rude. Despite the cold outside conditions, he felt hot and muggy, like so done had poured molasses over his brain. "Something's up. Do you know what's in the cuts?"

He didn't answer, preffering to try and sleep.

"Henry? What's in the cuts?"

He felt a hand in his shoulder and twisted away, opening his eyes and staring out the window. She grabbed his arm and shook it. "There was poison in it, wasn't there?!"

"I don't........ Know......" He mumbled, looking at her. Jo began to panic.

"Stay awake. C'mon, we're going back inside. Hey! Stay awake!"

He felt too tired. Why did she have to yell so much? Couldn't she just let him sleep?

The world faded to gray.

I actually have an idea, and being poison will actually play kind of a role in what's going to happen next. I'm so excited to write that part that I may write it tonight. :)