Linked

Chapter 17

Rain started to pour and as we drove on. I watched the beads of moisture roll down the windshield. The drops glided down the surface like water down the back of your throat; and it was mesmerizing.

I pulled the car up to the familiar gas station and parked. After unbuckling my seat-belt, I gently shook Liam awake.

"Liam... We're here. Come on," He sighed and opened his eyes while sitting up.

"Man, I was out... I think we should get my wound patched up," I glanced at his arm where the bullet had grazed him and agreed with a nod; the blood had slowed, but it was beginning to look discolored. Then I peered back at Dustin and saw his frame start to move.

"Liam! He's waking up!"

"Really?" He turned around and added, "Let's go, then. We gotta get him inside."

"Alright," I opened my door and trotted over to Dustin's, letting the rain fall on my shirt.

"Casey?" He croaked out after we opened his door.

"Dustin, it's okay. You're safe. We got you out of the cell," I reassured him.

"Thank you. Thank you," I could tell it had taken a toll on him, just like me, "Who are you?" He stared at Liam.

"Oh, I'm Liam," He extended his hand and helped Dustin sit up, "I'm a... good friend of Casey's."

Dustin started to chuckle and I saw his giddy spirit return, "More than friends, I think..." He groggily chuckled. I rolled my eyes.

"Wow, Dustin. Back to your playful self already?" I smirked at him.

"You know it," He smiled and sat up, finally taking in where we were, "A gas station? Huh... Wait, where are the others? Are they safe?"

"We haven't gotten the chance to get them out yet..." I glanced at Liam.

"We need to take care of you first, Dustin," Liam stated.

"And you, Liam," I reminded him of his battle scar, and Dustin took in the damage.

"Oh, man. Yeah, you do. That's not lookin' so good," He stood up, "Let's go inside."

"Okay, but don't draw too much attention." I noted, while stepping into stride with the two boys.

"Gotcha," Dustin challenged with finger-guns and a wink. Wow, Dustin hasn't changed a bit.

We walked into the convenient store and split up. Dustin strode over to the food aisle and Liam and I to the first aid. I grabbed a box of gauze, while Liam picked up some antiseptic. I handed the gauze to Liam for him to buy, and promptly tugged a t-shirt and jeans off the rack nearby. After buying the items (and trying to conceal Liam's wound from the cashier), I threw the set of clothes to Dustin.

"Go change. And here's ten bucks for some food. Go nuts," I handed him the money, "Liam and I are gonna clean his scar. We'll meet back in the car, okay?"

"Sounds good," He walked to the bathroom to change, and I lead Liam to a gender-neutral bathroom; locking the door behind me. We dumped out the supplies and Liam started to roll up his sleeve.

"Does it hurt?" I asked, beginning to splash water on the damaged skin.

"Nah. Just a little," He answered.

"Don't lie to me, Liam. This looks pretty bad. Don't forget I can read your mind," The dried blood was almost washed away.

"Don't forget I can read yours, C," He raised his eyebrows at me, "Plus, we agreed we wouldn't read each other's thoughts. Unless, I have completed my quest in gaining that gift?" He moved in closer to see my face.

"Not yet, Mr. popular," I smirked and looked back at the wound, "That pleasure is yet to be earned," I dried off his arm with paper towels and saw him grimace, "Oh, sorry."

"That's okay, C. I'm alright," He smiled weakly, but his face had already gone pale with pain.

"Hey, just look at me," I clasped his cold hand with my free one and he returned my gaze, "I'm gonna put some antiseptic on it now, okay? This might sting a little," I took the bottle, and poured it over his skin. The open wound soaked up the substance, and Liam's drew a short breath. His hand tightened around mine, and his eyes closed.

"Alright, it's clean. The worst is over. I'll just wrap it now."

"Okay, C," Liam's voice was the same, but his body was tense. Even so, I grabbed the roll of gauze and let go of his hand to wrap it. Once done winding the material around his arm, Liam's eyes opened and he breathed a sigh of relief; I did too.

"You're okay," I took Liam's hands and met his eyes, "It's over," We hugged.

"Thanks, C. I wouldn't have been able to do that on my own."

"You're welcome, Liam," We broke apart, gathered the supplies, and headed out to the car. Holding Liam's hand on the way out, we were met with Dustin lounging in the back seat with a bag of chips.

"Hey, what took you lovebirds so long?" He motioned to us with a potato chip, clearly enjoying himself.

"He got shot, Dustin," I pointed out while getting into the driver's seat, the rain had stopped and the clouds began to part with fresh sunlight.

"Yeah, yeah. But this is the famous Liam Walker. The one that took on twelve guys for you before being over-powered," He referenced the story of my capture, with minor exaggerations.

"You told them about me?" Liam smiled in my direction, as I put the car in gear.

"Well, yeah. You were the one that was gonna save us, remember?"

"Right," He recalled, and then leaned over to whisper to me, "But you know there were only six guys, right?"

"Yeah, I know," I smiled, and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Whoa! Whoa. Eyes on the road, please," Dustin called. I took in the satisfaction of catching my friend off-guard, and smirked.

Liam was beaming; totally enamored with our relationship. And as we sped off to find the next friend to rescue, I was content in knowing that there was hope enough to joke around and get into the rhythm of things. Maybe we'll pull this off after all.