PERVERSE - Apply Fic

32

Leo dips into conscious, like plunging below the surface of a frozen lake. His muscles clench. The journey to the cab, his weight hulking on Fallon and Ambrose, was not easy. No more easy was it getting into the cab. At the very least, his stupor and moans proved more a distraction than Ambrose. The cab tried to get them to call an ambulance.

"I don't want an overdose in my car," the driver had said.

"He's already taken naloxone," Fallon had explained, her voice shaking. "He'll make it to the motel."

The driver had sped off, muttering something about junkies. Fallon stewed. At least the putrid smell of Ambrose could be attributed to Leo.

The three of them were the last to arrive. Getting a cab to come out to the factory had proven difficult, more so than the motel which was more central. It is close to midnight on Saturday, and Fallon knows there are more cabs out now as an effort by the region to combat DUIs. It's never enough cabs for the number of drinkers.

Getting Leo out of the cab is easier. He's semi-awake, able to brace himself on the ground to crawl. Walking is out of the question. Every part of him burns. Fallon runs ahead to the room for help. She comes back with Ajay, Clare, and Barry of all people.

When she said she needed strong hands to lift up Leo, Barry felt like they had to go. No one ever gives him credit for his strength. He wanders out the doors after them, trying his best to do the bare minimum. At least this way he gets to see Ambrose before the others, and clench up in private rather than in front of Lydia. Or Jamie. It's unclear right now.

Nico waits on the balcony, watching as the others help up Leo. They look at the man, with his hair slick to his skin with sweat, his face bright red. Leo's got blood on his face and arms, from where the old burns have ripened again. Nico steps back to allow the others to bring him inside.

They set Leo down on the bed. With what little supplies they have, Ajay works as best as he can. He tears open Leo's clothing around the burns with Audrey's pocketknife. Fallon dampens the towels and brings them over. With Leo reintroduced to the space, all the efforts of Lydia's potpourri are counteracted. His body alone increases the temperature of the room by enough that Eva strips off her sweater.

Fallon doesn't look at Nico as she assists Ajay. She couldn't bare it.

When Nico sits on the floor, Kaia takes their hand. Clare is on the other side of her, and so they offer Nico a soft nod, instead of physical touch.

The room falls quiet, if just for a second. Este cannot watch everyone. She cannot watch Ajay's precise hands, or Leo's smouldering skin, or anyone else but Ambrose. He stands with his back to the motel room, looking at the crows again. As he turns around, she flinches.

Now that is ugly.

He steps inside. A squeak slips out of Lydia. She clasps her hands over her mouth. Barry wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her in closer. Kaia's hands squeeze Nico's too tight. Drool begins to seep in Audrey's mouth. Ajay doesn't glance back at the doorway, but he feels the energy shift around him.

Only Eva stands up. She steps closer to him. His face twists towards her. He's got no eyes. The eyelids are open wide though, revealing black rotting flesh beneath them. He blinks. She steps backward, heart racing.

"You're dead, aren't you, Ambrose?" she asks, not even able to joke.

His head twists to the side, "I have been dead this entire time, Eva."

No one speaks.

Leo winces at the cold cloth from Ajay. The bed beath him feels more solid. The room more stationary. Maybe it's the whole world that has stopped spinning, just for them.