KALEIDOSCOPE ━ WADE WILSON

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

PLAYLIST;
i. please, please, please - sabrina carpenter
ii. all i wanted - paramore
iii. waiting room - phoebe bridgers
iv. back to black - any winehouse
v. kaleidoscope - chappell roan
vi. strangers - ethel cain

—

The apartment was quiet except for the Lucia's light typing on her laptop and Santiago's labored breathing.

Ainoa walked into the living room, seeing Santiago laying on the couch with his eyes closed and a hand on his stomach.

"Hey," Ainoa began, her voice soft as to not startle him.

Santiago slowly opened his eyes. He looked much better and more stabilized than when he first arrived. Ainoa still felt like she was in a dream.

"Hey," Santiago spoke. He slowly sat up on the couch, giving Ainoa a space next to him.

Ainoa gave him a tight lipped smile, before she sat next to him. A sigh escaped her lips, unsure of what to say in the awkward silence between them. It's been so long since they'd seen each other.

"Can you believe I'm here?" Santiago said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I never thought I'd make it out of that hell hole."

Ainoa shook her head, "I don't even know how you're still alive. The head reattachment..." her eyes trailed to his neck, where his stitch marks were clearly visible. "Just.. how?"

Santiago's gaze was intense as he looked down at the floor, thinking back of everything he went through. "I thought I was going to die," he began. "The drugs they used... they made me black out. I'd wake up with blood on my hands not knowing what I'd done. It's like living in a nightmare you can't control."

Ainoa's eyebrows furrowed in concern. She could see the trauma in his eyes, the slight tremble in his hands. She reached out, gently placing her hand on Santiago's arm. "I'm so sorry you went through that. We'll make sure Juan pays for what he's done."

Santiago nodded, his eyes meeting hers. "Thank you. For everything. I don't know what would've happened if you guys hadn't found me."

Ainoa rubbed his arm comfortingly, "I couldn't leave you there, Santiago. Of course we were going to save you."

"I appreciate it." Santiago grinned, his eyes exploring her face. "You know, I heard Lucia say you got shot on your leg."

"Oh, yeah," Ainoa rolled up her pants slightly, revealing the bullet wound. "It's surprisingly better though. It's healing pretty quickly. I can move more now. Still hurt's every now and then but—"

Then, misreading the situation, Santiago leaned in suddenly and kissed Ainoa, cutting her off.

Ainoa's eyes widened in shock. She quickly pushed him away, standing up. "Santiago, what are you doing?"

Santiago looked confused and hurt. "I... I thought...?"

Just then, Ainoa heard a noise from the doorway. She turned to see Wade standing there, his body tense, fists clenched at his sides.

"Wade..." Ainoa sighed, her heart sinking. "This isn't what it looks like."

Wade's voice was cold when he spoke. "Really? Because it looks like I just walked in on a touching reunion kiss. Guess I should've knocked. My bad."

"No, Wade, you don't understand," Ainoa pleaded, moving towards him. "I pushed him away. I didn't want-"

"Save it," Wade cut her off, his tone bitter as he grabbed his mask. "I get the picture. Loud and clear."