Ameliorate

Chapter 38: Maybe That Makes Me A Fool

"Stop, stop," Dave hissed, taking several steps back. He sucked in a breath through gritted teeth, holding his right hand in front of his left arm but almost afraid to actually touch it.

Addy's eyes widened. Her hands were over her mouth with shock. "Holy shit, what was that?"

"I was hoping that you knew," Dave said. "But first, could I get some help here?" Dave asked, looking over at Niki. "This shit hurts."

"What happened there?" Clay asked, slowly removing his hands from over his ears.

Niki moved to assist Dave, hands glowing again. Niki's brow creased with concern. "How are you standing right now?" she asked.

"I have a high pain tolerance," Dave deadpanned.

"I can see that," Niki remarked.

"What happened?" Clay exclaimed.

Elizabeth half-leapt half-flew down the stairs to Addy's side. "Are you okay, Addy?"

"Don't fuckin' ask me- Dave, are you okay?"

"Just peachy," Dave deadpanned. "I'm just standin' here with a healing broken arm and-"

"Wait- how did she break your arm?" Will asked.

"How in the world did she do that- is that even possible?" Clay asked.

"Well, obviously it's possible," Niki stated. "It's happened."

"But how though?" Will asked. "Addison?"

Addy had no response for Will.

"Addy?" Clay asked, face filled with concern.

Addy looked down at her blood-covered hand. "I- I don't understand- how-"

"Hey, Addy?" Elizabeth asked. "We'll figure this out, alright?"

Dave looked over at Addy. "You hit like a truck."

"I don't think that's helpful," Niki chided quietly. Her hands stopped glowing. "Is that better?"

Dave flexed his hand experimentally. "That's about good. Thanks, Niki."

"No problem, Dave," Niki said.

Dave looked over at Addy. "Hey." He stepped forward and held out his left arm. "What do you see here?"

Addy glanced down. "Your arm?"

"And is it broken anymore?" Dave asked.

"No?"

"Exactly. It's better now," Dave told her. "See?"

"But-"

"No buts," Dave told Addy. His tone indicated no discussion. "It's okay now. You can relax and figure out the why, if that's what you're trying to go for. It's better that we figured this out now rather than in a situation that you actually needed to defend yourself in. Okay?"

Addy nodded faintly. "Okay."

"Can I take a look at your nose, Addy?" Niki asked. "Just to fix it if anything is wrong?"

"Oh, sure," Addy said.

Niki walked over and offered her hand to Addy again. Her hands glowed once more before she stepped away.

"Thanks, that's better," Addy told her.

"Do you have any idea why that happened?" Clay asked. "Has it happened before?"