274 (Complex Series, #4)

Chapter Twelve

I try to scoot away, but my vision tilts. A soft cry slips through my gritted teeth.

The Distress has found me again. I doubt he’ll ever give me the chance to escape again.

Tooth tries to calm me, “You’re okay, you’re okay.”

I moan, no longer trying to seem brave or strong. All my energy has been drained and replaced with throbbing pain.

 Tooth winces, “Don’t worry, it’ll get better. A T’ing has somet’ing in t’ier fingernails ‘at when it gets in your blood stream, it causes more pain. It will fade after several minutes.”

I notice that whenever Tooth has a word with the th sound, he simply turns it into the t sound.

I once again groan in response. Where’s The Distress? Is he waiting for a grand entrance? What about Greg?

I ask the safer question, “Where’s Greg?”

“He left.”

“Why?”

Tooth glances suspiciously around but says nothing. I don’t bother asking anymore. My head pounds, forcing away any clear thoughts. I’m sure I’ll figure out the answers to my own questions after a while. My eyes slip closed.

All I need to do is survive the next several minutes and then, according to Tooth, the pain will get better.

My eyes flicker open for a second, enough time to see that Tooth still crouches beside me. His face shows evident concern.

Hasn’t he ever seen someone attacked by a Thing before? Maybe I’m just a horrible fighter and he’s never seen injuries so terrible, so pathetic before.

Maybe that’s not concern on his face, but disbelief. Worse, amusement.

Tooth whispers, “Is it getting better?”

I run a quick analysis of my injuries. The overall ache has faded slightly, but my head still thumps in time with my pulse. I keep my eyes shut tight and mutter, “A little.”

“That’s good, right?”

I slowly move my aching shoulders up in a shrug.

Tooth is silent. Where is The Distress? Is he not with Tooth? Did Tooth abandon The Distress? Did The Distress abandon Tooth?

I can’t take not knowing anymore. I push the words through my teeth, “Where’s The Distress?”

Tooth doesn’t say anything. I pry my eyelids open, staring at his silhouette. He’s worriedly avoiding my eyes. The pain has faded enough for me to keep my eyes open, although faded spots still swirl and twist over everything I see.

I repeat, “Where’s The Distress?”

Tooth licks his lip, but doesn’t say a word.

 “You can’t avoid this question forever. Just tell me.”

 “Fine, fine. I t’ink I shouldn’t be telling you t’ough.”

“Why not?”

“’Cause, I doubt he’d like it.”

“The Distress?”

“Yeah.”

Tooth falls silent. I want to know, but I don’t want to seem too forceful. I don’t want to get him angry or flustered.

Tooth finally speaks, “He…I t’ink he disappeared.”

“What?” I loudly blurt. The action causes pain to needle into my forehead. I wince, but force myself to continue watching Tooth’s expression.