Hematophagous

Chapter 34: A heavy brother and a non-existent injury

Josh began to make progress on the fifth day of the attack, when Victoria thoroughly analyzed each member of her army and when Folke arrived at the castle.

Good thing Carlos and the others left a day early, leaving Josh here in the care of Lucy and her mom. He was still pale and with bruises on his face, but no one took away his hope.

— When can I leave the room? He asked still lying on the bed. I walked over to him and sat next to him.

I'm not going to lie to you, I don't know. It is dangerous for you to go out.

-But...- He looked at me pleadingly. You are also human.

— Yes, but I'm not sixteen years old.

-Seventeen-. That he corrected me confused me. I fulfilled them when you were not there.

- Oh really? Already seventeen - I tickled him a little -. That has to be celebrated.

-Stop, stop- he asked between laughs, please.

I stayed for a few seconds looking at his face. She had changed so much in the last few years.

— Do you remember that I met you when you were thirteen years old? You were a very heavy little boy. Although... that you still are.

- Hey! She threw one of the pillows in my face. I'm not heavy.

- No? Ask Elicia.

-How funny-. He tried to put on a serious voice. As far as I know, you were also younger when I met you.

— I was twenty-two.

-You...- he lowered his head when he joined our hands, -...you saved my life.- I tightened my grip when I remembered. If it wasn't for you, he'd already be dead or worse, on one of the farms.

-That's in the past, Josh. It won't happen to you again. No one will hurt you again - I assured him.

-My parents would have liked you- he mumbled hurt. And to Lucas.

— Luke? He had never told me about Luca.

— It was my Border collie. She was two years old when all this happened, she accompanied me until the guards made us separate - I wiped away a tear that ran down her cheek -. I like to think that he is still alive — That made me think of my family. His hope was exemplary.

-Josh...- His greenish eyes met mine.

— It's what keeps me alive — That managed to freeze me completely. Barely seventeen years... -. I also like to think that we are also family - He looked at me self-conscious.

-Josh.- I caressed his cheek. Come here." I helped him sit up fully on the bed and put my arms around him. I consider you as a brother and always will. When that man attacked you...

-It wasn't your fault, Maia- he muttered, wrapping his arms around me. You are also like a sister to me. A very pushy and heavy one, but...

- Hey! -I got separated from him.- That here the heavy one is you, not me.

-That will have to be discussed with Carlos.- He narrowed his eyes, seeking to challenge me, jokingly, with his gaze.

-We'll have to see it.- I got up from the bed. He had already had his breakfast, but I hadn't and my guts were screaming for some food.

- Will you come later?

- Always.

. . . . . . . . .

— Do you know if Folke will stay much longer? — I asked Victoria when I sat down in the dining room chair, they had already gotten up long before me to deal with a series of problems.