Borrowed Time

Chapter Fifteen

Xavier and I talk for pretty much the whole trip. Occasionally Jaden stirs the tiniest bit. The sun has already gone to rest behind the moon by the time we get there. I climb out of the car in front of what looks like a store that's been closed for a very long time.

“It's an old department store, it's actually really cool. It went bankrupt and some of the stuff is still in here,” Xavier says, shutting off the car and going around to the back seat. He pulls Jaden out and carries him fireman style. I hold the door open for them. “Don't any of you get up, it's not like I'm a hero or anything.” he calls out, laying Jaden down on what I assume used to be the check out counter.

Alice is the first one to reach me, hugging me tightly. “I missed you, Ceal!” She squeaks, looking up at me and smiling widely.

“I missed you too, Al.” I ruffle her hair a little as she detaches herself from me. Mae stands shyly a few feet behind her. “Hey Mae.”

“No hug for me?” Xavier asks in a teasing voice. Alice runs up and pulls Xavier's legs into a tight hug.

Nicole waltzes in, wearing heels for no particular reason. She doesn't say anything to me, but I see the relief flood her face. It makes me smile.

Turning back to Jaden, I grab someone's jacket that they've left laying around and tuck it under his head as a pillow.

“Where's Gandalf?” I ask.

“I'll go get him!” Alice announces, skipping out of the main section of the store.

Nicole comes to stand next to me. “Who the hell is this?” She asks, raising an eyebrow.

“This is Jaden.” I glance at Xavier, who is being uncharacteristically quiet.

“I thought he'd be cuter,” she says thoughtfully, “I suppose he has that whole caveman thing going on.” Looking at me, she winks. “It's cute how you guys match.”

“Shut up.” I scowl. “Xav, can Jaden borrow some of your clothes?”

“Can't he wear Nicole's clothes? I don't have enough to have to burn a whole set.” He flashes us a quick grin and walks out the same way Alice left.

“What happened to him anyway?” Nicole nods to Jaden's figure.

“I don't want to talk about it.” I say softly. “Where's the bathroom?” Nicole points to a sign with an arrow that reads 'Restrooms.' “Can you watch him?”

“Somehow, I doubt he's going to go anywhere,” Nicole says dryly.

I decide to take that as a yes and I go over to where my bag is laying by the door. I dig through it and pull out my wash cloth and a change of clothes.

Walking into the woman's bathroom, I ignore the mirrors and lock myself in a stall. Pulling off my 'Save the Humans' shirt, I let it fall to the ground, replacing it with a black tank top and a plaid flannel. I replace my jeans with a clean pair of gray sweatpants. Venturing out of my stall, I stick my head in the sink and just let the water run over it. It's cold, but it a good way, like the ocean on a hot summer day. I then splash water over my face, still ignoring my reflection. I wish we were at someplace with a shower. I wet the washcloth again, ringing it out a little and walking out of the bathroom, tossing my clothes in the trashcan on the way out. There goes the five bucks I spent on that shirt.

Gandalf has appeared when I walk back out. He turns and smiles at me kindly.

“Cecilia,” he says, “I'm glad Xavier was able to find you.” I nod and tug on my hair a little. This is all I will get from him. It's my fault, I lied to him. His unspoken disappointment stings. I wonder if this is what it feels like to be grounded. I feel like a child. “What happened to your friend?” He asks. I'm glad he's taken the topic off of me, but now I have to explain. I head over to Jaden and start to wipe his face gently with the damp washcloth. Xavier walks back in and looks sideways at me. I watch what I am doing carefully, not looking at any of them.

“He got beat up.” My voice is soft. “He was trying to protect me.” I gently wipe red away from Jaden's lip, revealing a cut that has split it. I swallow and wipe blood away from his forehead and temple. No one says anything and after a long moment, I look up at them. Gandalf looks worried, and has turned away to dig the first aid kit out of our communal duffel bag. Nicole looks slightly uncomfortable, while Xavier's face is contorted into a strange way. I close my eyes to escape it.

Gandalf comes towards the counter with the first aid kit. “Do you know where he was injured?”

I blink a couple times. I don't want to remember. “His stomach, a lot,” I say gently.

“Take his shirt off,” Nicole says, smirking at me. I look up from Jaden just to glare at her.

“Shut up.” My face burns red.

Gandalf sighs, like he always does, in all situations. “She's right, Cecelia, we need to look at his injuries.”

“Fine,” I mutter, my blush deepening with every moment, especially when I feel Xavier's fiery gaze on me. Without looking at anyone, I pull his swiss army knife out of my pocket and open it. Carefully, I cut the front of Jaden's shirt open down the middle. Jaden's chest is nearly untouched, but his stomach is dark with purple bruises.

“Gross.” Nicole says, wrinkling her nose. Xavier looks slightly interested, though he does not say anything.

“Good thing Oscar stole all those instant ice packs from that pharmacy last year.” Gandalf looks at me and then pulls out a white, plastic bag and shaking it. “Some prank he never got to do.”

“Good thing,” I mutter.

“What's that?” Gandalf asks, pointing to the strip of maroon fabric still knotted around Jaden's hand.

“Oh, I did that. It was bleeding..” I go to remove it carefully, revealing even more cuts and bruises. Gandalf hands me a bottle of rubbing alcohol.

“Clean it,” he advises.

I wrinkle my nose but nod. Gandalf is doing the difficult part, so I should be grateful for that. I pour some rubbing alcohol on the washcloth and gently clean the cuts. Then I re-bandage it and take one of the ice packs.

It's a full hour before we're done cleaning Jaden's cuts. At some point Nicole leaves. I don't now where people are staying, but I don't want to leave Jaden. I replace his shirt carefully with one of Xavier's, which Jaden is practically swimming in.

At some point Gandalf whispers, “he'll be okay, Cecilia,” before he heads out of the main part of the store.

After a while, my eyelids begin to feel heavy. Xavier, who has not helped at all, comes over, completely ignoring Jaden and putting his arm around my waist, steering me towards where I presume everyone is sleeping.

“No,” I say softly, “I'm going to stay in here.” I push weakly against him.

Xavier rolls his eyes and continues to lead me away from Jaden. “He'll be fine Ceal, you need to sleep.”

“I'll sleep in here. Go to bed, Xav.” I twist away from him and grab a chair, dragging it towards where Jaden is laying.

“Nice to have you back too.” His voice is soft. I don't think I was supposed to hear. I wish I didn't. So I pretend not to.

“Goodnight Xav,” I look at up at him as I sit down. His jaw is set in a straight line, his eyes are wide and ringed with dark circles.

“Goodnight Ceal.” He seems to finally give in as he turns around. “Don't let the flesh-eating zombies bite.” I smile the tiniest bit. He walks out before I can say something witty.

Laying my head on the counter next to Jaden, I lace my fingers through his. “I'm sorry.” I whisper, before falling into a restless sleep.