Reaper's Touch

Hex: Look at Me

"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."
-Mark Twain

The first thing Hex did when she got back to Jeff's was text Ember.

"Found Gus he's in the hospital- come w me?"

Ember texted back, "sure but gotta pick up Cricket by 5."

"It won't take that long"

"K which hospital? I'll meet u out front of the ER."

Hex found the address and texted it to Ember. She waited about half an hour before leaving since she figured the hospital needed time to get Gus checked in and under control. She watched TV, played with Moon, and gave her fresh food and water before heading out.

Ember was standing under the breezeway in front of the ER's sliding glass doors. Every time they opened, a waft of warm, hospital-smelling air blew into their faces. Ember looked like she was freezing, both arms wrapped tightly around her torso and a long knitted scarf looped repeatedly around her neck all the way past her nose. Her blue pompom hat was pulled low, only her eyes visible between it and the edge of the scarf.

"Hey," Ember said through chattering teeth, voice muffled behind her scarf. "You look exhausted."

Hex sighed. "I am. I haven't slept through the night since Jeff died."

"Well now that you know Gus is okay, maybe you can-"

"He's not okay," Hex interrupted flatly.

Ember's arms fell at her sides. "What do you mean?"

"I mean he's not just being treated for hypothermia. He was also completely out of his mind, just like last time... well, you remember."

"Right after Adam died," Ember said, nodding.

"Yeah when you called the cops on him," Hex said.

Ember bit her lip sheepishly. "That obvious it was me, huh?"

"It was painfully obvious... but it was also the right thing to do. I woulda done it too. You just got there first," Hex said, trying to make her feel better. "Plus it worked out for the best for Gus."

"Till now," Ember mumbled.

"He lost it. He didn't just relapse, Ember. Like, he's gone."

"Gus can't handle it when people he loves die," Ember said with a shrug.

"Are we still good on moving in with you?" Hex asked worriedly.

"He can't use," Ember said flatly. "Period. Not around Cricket, not in my house. I draw the line there. The same goes for literally every single person in my life."

Hex nodded. "That's more than fair. I'll let him know. But I think this relapse was just a one time thing. I hope it is anyway."

"Me too," Ember said.

"I can't be with someone who's using. They'll take me down with them," Hex said.

Ember nodded. "Same. West and I made a promise to each other not to tolerate a relapse. If it happens to either one of us, we leave the house until we're clean again. Period. No excuses. Thankfully, it's never happened."

The two girls walked inside and asked the woman at the front desk if they could see Gus. She typed in some information and then looked at them both, shaking her head.

"He's in isolated detox. No visitors."

"Great," Hex sighed. "When can I see him?"

"Check again in a couple of days."