Lookism: What Am I Even Doing?

Chapter 115

(Jake's POV)

Thin pages fluttered softly with the wind. Someone had left the window open. On a small table was an old fashion magazine and a hot cup of coffee. You could tell it was still warm by the steam hissing from its rim. The pages froze for a moment, a few of them standing in the morning light. Gravity tugged at them gently causing them sway from left to right.

Outside the window was nothing but trees. I couldn't even see buildings above the tree line but I could hear the sound of traffic in the distance. Cars rushed past, trying to beat the sun as it reached its peak in the sky.

I sat up and immediately regretted the notion. Pain erupted in every which way. Most of it was bearable except for my right shoulder which had been dislocated. I drew a tight breath as I gently held my arm. Whoever brought me here set it in place but that didn't mean the pain would just disappear.

Where the hell was I anyway? This couldn't have been a hospital. Despite the hospital bed, the machines, and this ugly ass hospital gown there wasn't that...brightness. You know, those annoying ass blinding lights. There was a warm hue settled over the room. Most of it coming from the sun outside.

I'm assuming this was one of Cherry's safe houses. After they found me all beaten up they probably brought me here to receive proper medical treatment. They probably assumed I'd pop a band-aid over my wounds with some pain killers then call it a day. That or that lady felt some sort of guilt for what happened.

She promised me there was no need to worry. That's why we both felt so confident at letting Jerry and Jason go off on their own for one of her little side quests. If I'd known things would get this messy I'd declined her offer. Now I have to deal with her getting on my ass for letting that girl go.

But what was I supposed to do?

Maybe...if she hadn't taken me so off guard then I could've bought enough time for help to arrive. Believe it or not I've always been good at improvising. All I had to do was talk some smack, run around, toss a shit ton of dirt, literally anything. Then...she might not have gotten away.

Hopefully that crazy bitch doesn't cut me off for messing things up.

I propped myself up against the headboard of the bed. Thin tubes pushed clear liquid through my arm. There was gauge wrapped all over me too. Head, arms, left leg, and I could feel it underneath my clothes. Most of it to deal with the cuts made from the glass.

Looks like I'm going to get some pretty cool scars soon.

...

Damn it, I shouldn't be here like this. I'm just racking up debts aren't I? You think that woman won't tie me further into her mess for this? I bet she'll even come up with some bullshit or protecting Big Deal while I'm here. Something about wasting man power for a dirty, petty looking street.

...

No, she wouldn't do something like that. Call me naive but...I think I believe it.

She's definitely no saint but...she's not a bad person either.

There was a soft knock on the door. Whoever it was didn't wait for me to answer. I tensed as the door slid open only to relax when I saw her face. Cherry walked in with a tired smile on her face. You could tell there was a lot on her mind yet she forced herself to be kind for my sake.

She reminds me of those ladies at the market. When they could get into fights with their children or husbands they'd put on these extra kind smiles. I'd always ask if they were alright and they say that everything would be fine. Then they'd proceed to toss me extra servings of whatever I would buy. Cause to them, what mattered the most was making sure children like me understood compassion.