Elevator

Chapter 6

Chapter 6! Why don't you guys go ahead and get started? I've not much to say about it, except enjoy! Hit it, Crisper!

Crisper: (hits it)

If he didn't have Reuben to worry about, Jesse would've counted the next half-hour or so of waiting as boring. The groups were split back in two, Ocelots and Pigs, and no one spoke a word. Even though he was sitting still on his side of the room, Jesse's nervous energy endlessly bubbled for Reuben's health. He hadn't worsened any, but that still didn't mean he was in good condition. For now, he was drifting in and out of a restless sleep, a little bit better than a dizzy zombie. Jesse released a bored, heavy sigh and slumped on the walls of the elevator, gazing wistfully at the doors. When would they slide open and let them all go home?

"Hey, Jesse," Axel whispered. Jesse glanced at him. "You wanna play redhands?"

Jesse wanted to play, but he shook his head. "Can't. Reuben's sleeping in my lap, so, I can't move." He whispered back. Axel crawled on all fours to Olivia.

"Do you want to play redhands?"

"No, Axel. You'll just hurt my hands." She quietly snapped back, wondering why he'd even asked her of all people.

"But that's the point of the game!" He whined, but Olivia shook her head. Axel crawled back to his spot, feeling a bit bummed and much more bored. He glanced at Gill who sat across him, his knees drawn to his chest and a worried look on his face. "Psst, Gill!"

"What?"

"You wanna play redhands?"

"Sure, I guess." He agreed. He scooted over to Axel and held out his hand, palm facing down. Axel raised his hand high over Gill's, the bearded man trying not to show any emotion. With a start, Jesse's mind suddenly realized the impending disaster.

"Guys, I don't think you should—" Before Jesse could voice his concerns, Axel slammed his hand down on Gill's with a loud slap that made everyone flinch and wince in pain at the same time (Aiden was really unhappy to flinch). Gill let out a hissing, silent cry, doubling over and clutching his hand.

"What the heck was that for?!" Maya shouted, rushing over to Gill while the other Ocelots sent Axel defensive glares.

"He told me to do it." Axel shrugged.

"Yeah, right! Why would he tell you to hit him?!" She and Gill's eyes met, and from the guilty look on his face she knew what happened. "Why would you tell him to hit you, you idiot?!"

"We were playing redhands! It's a guy's thing, okay? Stop babying me!" Gill defended, blinking away tears at the same time.

"Gill, have you seen his hands?! They're huge!" She shouted scoldingly. Gill sighed and rolled his eyes, starting to sit up. He held his red, swollen hand to his chest as he hobbled back to his spot.

"Hey, my hands aren't that big!" Axel shouted, though he hid his hands under his arms at her remark. He scooted back to the wall, but Maya was far from finished.

"I can't believe you two! Look at what you did to his hand, you jerk!" She shouted, even though no one had seen Gill's hand yet.

"Maya, I think you may be overreacting. I'm sure his hand's fine." Lukas said calmly. Gill finally revealed his hand, and Maya gasped at how red and swollen it was. Gill pursed his lips and quietly slid it back into his jacket.

"I am never playing redhands again." He murmured to himself.

"Look at what you did!" Maya shouted again, storming over to Axel.

"Maya, calm down! My hand's just a bit swollen, geez!"

"Yeah, besides, I didn't mean it! It just sort of... happened." Axel added.