Evanescent

The Sixth Chapter

I awoke to bright lights. An annoying beeping sound and the horrid smell of disinfectant. My head throbbed and my wrists were on fire. There was a mask over my face. I could feel the needle in my air. Dry mouth. So very thirsty. So very tired. I looked around. Hospital room. Boring walls. Annoying machines.  Reid and Reyes and Benson sat by my side.

"Where's Hero?"

Reid looked up, cobalt eyes shining with sadness and hurt, "He's angry, and I'm pretty sure he's using."

I understood.  Hero needed me. I needed him. He'd never speak to me again. Reyes leaned close and wiped a tear from my cheek.

"No tears, love. Tell us what happened."

I got a funny feeling when he touched me. I wanted him to do it again. Wanted to be closer. Needed to be closer. NO. All I could do was stare. I looked to Reid. He wouldn't meet my gaze this time.

"Show me."

He stiffened. Eyes glazed over. Got up to leave. Changed his mind and nodded. I think we were all shocked by the what happened next.

Fingers playing with the hem of his cornflower blue turtleneck, he was hesitant. One fluid movement. The shirt was gone. Collective appalled gasps from the three of us. My scars were nothing. Jagged and Red. EVERYWHERE. Neck, abdomen, arms, back.

I looked into his eyes, questioning. Deep oceans of pain. One breath, one word.

"Tortured." Confirmation.

My heart did something I didn't think it could ever do again. It broke.

"Lapis!"

I met worried ember eyes. Reid had tugged on his shirt and stormed out hours ago. Benson left soon after. Reyes. Still here. Why? I stared. No words from either of us. Tension.

Reyes. What is this weird feeling? Wait. He wouldn't look at me. Hiding something. Oh, no. 

"What happened?"

He stayed silent. I sat up and hit the bed weakly. Demanding. I wanted answers. Hero? Reid? No. Something's wrong. No. His voice was tuned out as I tried to process. NO. Hero had OD'd and Reid was gone. I'm sorry, Razor.