Page 75 of Your Hate, My Claim
“Did you remember to…” I start to say but Mark interrupts me.
“Yes we have your precious clothes. They’re already at the house.”
I lean back in my seat and close my eyes. I have no desire to look back at what I’ve handed over. It was a curse, a dead weight.
I’m just looking to the future.
37
SIMON
I t’s been an hour since we took off from the airport and I’ve barely said two words to anyone. A small part of me was hoping
Carlos would be returning back with us, but nothing. I need to pull myself out of this slump. But the aches and pains just bring
everything back to the front of my mind. Fortunately there is one person on this flight with a soul, Chase. He is currently helping me redress my back, as we have a long journey ahead.
“Tell me if it hurts and I’ll stop,” he says with a soothing voice.
“I’ll be fine. The quicker you do it, the quicker I can take my pain meds and sleep the rest of the way,” I say.
“Holy shit, Si. Those fuckers,” Dima says. I can’t see him as I’m currently on my front and it hurts to turn my head.
“Don’t worry about it,” I say, really not wanting to discuss it.
“I think they look cool. We should get you some of those, baby,” Noah says and I feel Chase stop his movements.
“I mean this with love and affection, Noah. But you’re not fucking scarring me anywhere. You got it?” Chase warns. He must be the only one in the world who is able to speak to that maniac like that.
“Calm down, it was just an idea,” Noah says before walking past my head and taking a seat away from everyone else.
“It’s an awful idea. Nobody wants this,” I say, annoyed that he would even think this is something desirable.
“You can’t talk for everybody and people are stupid. You’re alive, aren’t you?” he challenges.
“Noah,” Chase warns, but no, I want to hear what the creepy shadow fucker has to say.
“No, let him talk,” I say.
“I don’t want to talk. It’s pointless and tiring,” he says on a yawn.
“You’re saying I should be grateful,” I mumble.
“Think what you like. I don’t give a shit. You have a few scars on your back, big fucking deal. Deal with it and move on. People are annoying as they are breathing everywhere, its worse when they don’t shut the fuck up.”
“Noah, stop it. Not everyone is like you,” Chase says.
“How awful for them,” Noah says and his words hit me deep inside.
“So you’re saying there is always someone worse off? Is that the cliché line?” I ask.
“No such thing as worse off. It’s perspective. You decide how to be. I’m surprised you are like this with what you do.”
“That’s not how humans work, Noah,” Chase sighs. He continues to cover my back in fresh bandages, and I’m impressed with his gentle touch.
“Humans suck,” Noah grumbles. “Now let me sleep and no moving away from me, Chase. I’ll sense it.”
“Yes sir,” Chase whispers sarcastically, but I think he likes the possessive nature of Noah. He’s intense. According to gossip Aaron, he stalks Chase all the time.
