Gifted Ones

Chapter 27 Haven

Chase was discharged from the hospital at noon the next day. We didn't have a car, so instead we called a cab to get us there. It was raining outside, and the clouds were dark and dense above us. We got soaking wet just waiting for the taxi. When we finally did reach the hospital Chase was waiting for us in the lobby.

I regard him now, from just across the room. His dark hair has been washed and combed, looking much better than a few hours ago. He leans against the wall with his hands in the pockets of a black hoodie that is left unzipped over a white t-shirt. The clothes he wore when he arrived were ruined from the second trial anyway. Even his arm is fine, probably healed himself. But despite how much he's cleaned up, his eyes are the same, and his face is still gaunt. He regards the people walking past with a wary gaze, like he doesn't feel comfortable among them.

"Chase!" I call, trying to get his attention. Immediately his head snaps up and he meets my gaze. Something changes in his face as he strides across the room towards us.

"Hey," he says softly, shouldering the backpack we left him. "I guess we're going back to the hotel?"

Anne nods, her curls bobbing up and down. "Yeah. It's about twenty minutes drive from here. Don't pass out on me, Kay?"

Chase snorts at that, but says nothing.

"Hey," I whisper, coming up behind him. "How are you?"

He shakes his head. "Not so hot right now. Physically I'll live though."

I don't push how he feels emotionally.

"Listen, I-" but he's gone, stepping after Anne and now too far away to hear me.

Later, in the cab, I notice him tapping his fingers on his knees in some kind of pattern, like he's playing a piano. From my place beside him I reach out to cover his hand with mine. But I see his face, distant and cold, and I draw my hand back, pretending to merely push my hair out of my face.

When we get to our hotel the rain is still coming down hard, the rhythm pausing as we drive under the awning in front of the double doors. I step out last, letting Chase go before me. He leans heavily against the door as he stands, and I see him limp a bit as we walk towards the doors. Wordlessly, I try to take his backpack from him, but he pulls away with a noise of dissent.

"It's fine," he tells me. "It's not like I'm a cripple or something."

I feel a flash of anger. "You don't have to do everything yourself, you know," I snap.

He shrugs me off and speeds up, passing Annalise and pushing through the doors. I stare after him sadly before coming up behind Anne and following her inside.

From there we take the elevator up to floor seven, silent as other passengers stop the ride to get on. There isn't much opportunity to talk, anyway, but it's enough that the silence feels empty.

Chase leans his head against the mirrored wall, closing his eyes tiredly. I guess overcasting makes you need a lot of sleep. Suddenly I feel the urge to reach out and touch his face, but I resist. Maybe he doesn't need me to protect him. Maybe he'd be better off without me there. What if this is his answer? Maybe he just won't respond, won't say anything at all. Is that his plan?

I exhale slowly, stepping forward as the elevator doors open. The three of us push past the crowd to step into an empty hallway. Our room is the fourth one on the left, identical to all the others. Anne pulls out the room card and slides it into the lock, waiting for it to flash a green light before opening it. Chase goes next and I bring up the rear, pulling the door shut behind me as I do.

The walls of the main room have coffee colored wallpaper and light brown carpeting. The lower half of the wall is wood paneled. On the opposite wall are two individual bedrooms with their own separate bathrooms attached. The main room contains a pullout couch, a stove, a fridge, and a TV. I thought that it was a pretty nice suite.