Page 60 of Crucified By the Dark
“I always bring the good mojo,” Arek said, then gave Jeremy a wink as Morry rolled her eyes.
Morry was right, Arek grew on you, but he was pretty sure that the sticky fungus that came to mind wasn’t what Arek would’ve chosen to resemble.
“Well, don’t just sit there. Let’s go,” Morry ordered, getting everyone moving.
They headed to the medical building, but Jeremy kept looking for someone lurking in the darkness. Maybe he was seeing things because he never saw anyone. Everything looked calm and in place. The lights in the hallway of the medical wing seemed extra bright tonight, and he squinted at the white neon glare.
Morry unlocked the door with her card pass, and soon they met Doc Henry in the hall.
“So, how is he?” Morry asked.
“As bossy and ornery as that dog of his, but otherwise, it looks like he will be just fine physically. Mentally, we still need to see.”
“What of the accident? Does he remember anything,” Trev asked.
“I asked him if he remembered being in an accident, and he said sort of, but then his head started to hurt. It may take him a day or two, perhaps longer, to remember. He suffered a very traumatic experience on top of hitting his head hard. Just take it easy with the questions. Right now, rest is the best thing for him.”
“Will do,” Morry said as Duke’s bark echoed in the hallway.
“Yeah, yeah, we’re coming,” she said to Duke as the small party pushed into Wolf’s room.
Duke immediately accosted everyone and even rubbed up against Jeremy’s leg. Duke was so excited he didn’t seem to know who to go to first, but it was Arek who got down and rolled around on the floor with him—oddly fitting.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” Morry said, smiling widely. “You have a nasty habit of ending up in a hospital bed.”
The man Jeremy had yet to meet was partially propped up in bed, his eyes open and a scowl on his face. “I’m fine. The doctor is trying to tell me that I’m going to be stuck in this bed for weeks. I think you need to get someone with a better medical opinion,” Wolf grumbled. “Good to see all of you. I’m sorry it was because I ended up in an accident.” Wolf rubbed his head, squinting like he was trying to see something. “There is something I need to tell you…It’s important.”
Morry’s smile faded as she leaned over and hugged Wolf. If he was sore, he didn’t wince once. When Morry told Jeremy stories of their time overseas, she’d mentioned that Wolf was made of nails and could be missing both legs and would still find a way to walk. That was just who he was.
One at a time, the others touched fists or shook Wolf’s hand, but it seemed as friendly and warm as a hug. It was in that moment he truly understood why they called themselves brothers. It wasn’t just a nickname or a term because they’d served together. There was more to it with these five. The way they looked at one another and touched, you would’ve sworn they were related and had grown up together. Jeremy bet that if Dean were in the room, he would receive the same warm welcome.
The group looked at one another but didn’t say anything.
“Tell me what’s wrong. Why do you all have that look on your face,” Wolf asked, his eyes landing on each of them and then lingering on Jeremy.
Breaking the silence, Jeremy stepped forward and held out his hand. “Good to meet you, Wolf. I work with Morry and….”
“They’re shagging,” Arek finished as Wolf gave his hand a firm shake.
“Seriously, man. Do you ever shut up,” Kes asked the question Jeremy was dying to ask.
Jeremy stepped back, and the room fell silent once more. They stared at one another as if their silence was speaking for them, and he desperately wanted to know what was happening. What else was Morry keeping from him? Every time he turned around, there seemed to be something else to learn or something Morry wasn’t saying or keeping secret. It made him wonder if he would ever know the whole Morry or always be left in the dark. The thought didn’t sit well with him at all.
“No, this isn’t the right time. Just let your body and mind heal,” Trev said, but that only made Wolf push himself up higher in the bed.
“Trev, with all due respect, no, Sir. Tell me what happened, and….” Wolf stopped and looked around the room like it was missing someone. “Someone…Shit, why can’t I remember? I need to get up. There’s something I need to do.”
Morry gripped Wolf’s shoulder hard and forced him to remain in bed. “Don’t you dare make me strap your ass to this bed. I have enough manpower to make it happen. Now, what do you need to do?”
Jeremy couldn’t help but feel for Wolf as he stared up at Morry. His eyes seemed confused, like he had been swimming for the shore, then lost sight of the land and didn’t know which way to go.
“I…I…Morry, it’s important.” Wolf gripped Morry’s arm. “I know it’s important.” He laid his head back against the pillows. “Do you know something I need to know?”
Trev stepped forward. “It is not important tonight. We just arrived, and you just woke up. Once we’ve all had a good night’s sleep tonight, we will talk about it tomorrow. There are many pieces we don’t know, but I am hoping you can help us with the missing details.” Trev stepped a little closer to the bed. “Tell me, what is the last thing you remember?”
Wolf’s eyes filled with tears, his fists gripping the sheets. “Sitting in Jimmy’s living room and telling his parents about how he died. About how brave he was to sacrifice himself to save the rest of us.”
“Okay, that’s good. Very good, Wolf,” Trev said calmly. “We will start there tomorrow.”
