The Sixth | Ekko

Chapter Forty

Six dipped her toes into the water, testing the temperature. It was almost too hot, but the coldness that lingered throughout her body made it difficult for her to care.

Derora grabbed her elbow and helped her properly step into the bath and flinched at Six's pained cries when the heat stabbed at her bruise.

Soon, she was submerged, the water lapping at her chest. She noticed a spiral of crimson swirling beneath the clear surface, originating from somewhere on her abdomen. Stockley must've broken flesh when he beat her.

Derora sat on a stool next to the tub once Six had settled and peered down at her bandaged hand.

"Sevika..." Six began, unsure how to word what she wanted to say. "She was there—"

"I know," Derora said, pulling her gaze from her hand to look at her. "She saved me. Not sure what she had to pay though."

Six turned her head to look back at her. "She fought Daunter. I'm not sure how the fight ended..."

"She's fine. A little roughed up, but she managed to get away. I waited for her at her apartment until she got back."

There was a pause as Six thought over what she had said. She knew of the complexities that existed within the sisters' relationship. Derora had told her what transpired when she got arrested on the day of ash, and it was a story filled with tangles and fragility.

Six was going to ask her more about their interactions but didn't get the chance.

"We match now," Derora said, holding up her mangled hand swathed in bandages.

Six's eyes dropped to the injured hand before she forced them shut.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice vibrating with sorrow. She turned her head and looked down before reopening her eyes.

"It isn't your fault," Derora reassured and then made a sound that resembled both a grunt and a laugh at the same time. "Besides, in some kind of fucked up way, I don't mind it. Now I get to know how you feel... to an extent."

"That's... oh God that's morbid Ora." Six didn't look up when she said it, instead keeping her gaze set on her bent knees that poked out of the water, sending small ripples across the surface.

Derora didn't respond at first, instead reaching her good hand up and tucking a loose piece of Six's hair behind her ear, revealing the mark in the shape of a 6 on the side of her neck. She didn't focus on it though, instead studying the side of her face. She froze, her fingers remaining nestled behind her ear as she noticed the smudged white paint on Six's nose and cheek. She hadn't spotted it until now, having been caught up in their reunion and making sure she was okay. Her body went taut with rage at the sight, knowing where it must've come from, and what had probably happened for it to get there.

Six felt her hair shiver, Derora's shakiness reverberating throughout it.

"Ora...?"

Derora hastily pulled away but didn't say anything, instead remaining stiff and quiet.

"...Is something wrong?"

"I'll wash your hair," Derora said in a flat tone, standing from the stool to fetch some shampoo from the shelf.

Six blinked, deciding not to press further for an answer.

Derora aggressively kicked at Six's bedroom door to let Ekko know they were there, her arms occupied with carrying Six. Pain radiated up her arm from her injury, but she ignored it.

Ekko threw open the door, his eyes dropping and gaze fixing on Momo worriedly. Her face was loose with slumber, yet she still snuggled into Derora's shoulder. Ekko's coat was thrown atop her like a blanket. "Is she okay?"