Culling

Part III • Chapter XXII

Maybe I'd forgive him for hitting me after all. I'd take some of this medicine. Then I could take a nap and-

"W- wait!" My focus returned to me even though I continued to struggle against my heavy eyelids. "What about... h- him? Is he a- alive?"

Sean frowned at me before exchanging a glance with Kota. When his vision caught mine again, his expression was fiercely serious. "Not for much longer, don't worry. We only have one more day, and then we'd been here for two weeks. It's early morning now. We are finishing things with him, and you need to rest up. We might have to move - we'll have no idea which third of the arena will become uninhabitable until the time comes."

No. Don't wait. I wanted to talk, but it was hard to form a coherent sentence. How many days had it been anyway? Everything was running together so much in my mind.

But why was he still alive? He was going to hurt everyone that I cared about. I needed to see him.

My eyes grew heavier and I realized that Sean must have also slipped something in my drink to make me sleep. As if I needed anything else to make it harder to concentrate.

I had to tell them. They didn't even know who Volto was. They might not even remember Derrick mentioning him before. I knew they were questioning him but, as far as I knew, they might have been asking all the wrong questions.

I wanted to tell Sean and Kota about Volto, about what I was feeling. I'd always want to talk to them about everything. I had promised myself never to keep a secret from my husbands anymore. But outside of my talk with Luke earlier, I had been fighting to maintain consciousness. And most of the time losing.

"He's V- Volto..." I forced the words out even as my vision swam in front of me. I could barely focus on Sean's green eyes anymore. It didn't matter, I still heard the sharp intake of breaths from both him and Kota.

Yet, Sean's voice was calm when as he responded - his hand pressing gently against my forehead. "We know, sweetheart." His fingers traced along my cheek. "We've been getting information from him about that. He's already admitted that Volto is the name of a role. We are learning everything we can. Don't worry. Rest. Trust us."

My poor mind was reeling in confusion. No, not a role. What did that even mean? Nothing he was saying made sense, but on some level it did. Logically I knew that Efrain couldn't actually be Volto, he was our age.

But, his mannerisms... The way he spoke to me and treated me. The pain.

It was all the same.

If I could just think then maybe I would understand what he was saying, but all I could focus on was my terror. How could Sean not be worried? If the boys weren't concerned about him, then they would let their guard down.

What if they got hurt?

No. I couldn't allow that to happen. Even if I had to protect them myself. I'd do it myself...

"Sleep, Sang." Kota's voice sounded so far away, even as his fingers rubbed in circles over my temples. "We'll take care of you. We are going to change your bandages now. We'll get that temperature down. Don't worry. Someone will always be here when you wake up. We are going to take care of you."

But who is going to take care of you? I wanted to ask. But before I could form another thought, sleep finally overtook me.

☜♡☞

I didn't know how much time had passed, but the shadows indicated that evening was approaching. The pain in my hand had lessened somewhat. However, my body was uncomfortably warm as someone held me against their chest. My head was still fuzzy, but the feeling that I had something to do, somewhere that I needed to be, continued to haunt me.