Cabin Fever | ✓

(50) The Enemy Of My Enemy

The door slammed shut. The two of them seemed to notice that they were there so Aiden tensed, balling his fists while the wraps she applied protested.

The redheads eyes fell to Marley while the blonde glanced between them with shock and apprehension.

He raised his arms, palms up, "Um. We don't mean any harm. Not that we could do much right now anyway-" his eyes flickered to the first aid kit on the floor, lighting up with hope, "-do you, can you share that? Do either of you know anything about first aid?"

"I do," Marley volunteered immediately, earning a sharp look from Aiden over his shoulder.

She ignored him, standing to her feet and trying to wipe off some of the worst dust on her as she spoke, "There's a clean towel and soap in there. Knock for the bathroom across the hall. Once you're clean I can help-"

Aiden's hand fell to her forearm, squeezing gently. He didn't tear his eyes away from the two others in the room, "They can deal with it themselves, Marley. We don't know who they are. I don't want you close to them."

She huffed, the two of them sharing a look at Aiden's words and frowning.

"I'm Marley," she greeted kindly, "and this is my boyfriend Aiden. We're seventeen."

The blonde spoke up, "I'm Jace and this is my friend Kyra. Sixteen. What are you doing here?"

Aiden answered first, "There's someone here who wants something from me. You?" His voice was tight.

"Same," Jace slumped against the wall, tilting his head back while Kyra plopped down beside him with a small groan, "Money?"

Marley answered when Aiden didn't, "Money, yes."

Maybe this is more common than she could've believed. How else would they keep this place up and running?

Aiden is the biggest fish, but they had always been fisherman.

Jace elbowed Kyra, "You go first. You're hurt real bad."

"So are you," she replied quietly, but eyes didn't tear away from Aiden and Marley.

She glanced between them nervously.

Marley sighed and tugged on Aiden's forearm, "Relax. You're scaring them. You know they need my help."

His jaw locked, "I told you I don't give a fuck about anyone else right now apart from you and Ian. I can't."

"Aiden...please."

It was quiet for a few breaths. His blue eyes were a cool mask of indifference on the two figures waiting patiently. Aiden took a deep, trying breath.

"Marley helps the girl. Jace you're with me across the room. Either of you hurt her and I'll take you down, understood?"

She squeezed his forearm gently as the two of them nodded quietly. Jace stood to his feet on shaky legs, wincing and limping to the other corner of the room. Aiden kept Marley behind him, moving as Jace did until he was back on the floor.

She let her boyfriend go and he stepped aside, his eyes on her with acute focus as she scrambled over to the redhead. She sat on her knees and scanned her over, hands hovering over a deep cut on her stomach, shirt stuck to it like glue.

"You'll have to take that off," Marley instructed quietly, "The shirt."

The redhead shot a glance at the guys but it was hardly for a second before she was nodding. She could hardly lift her arms, so Marley helped her slip it over her head. She was wearing a mesh sports bra underneath, and Marley knew she couldn't go in front of the guards like that.