Minds: Book One

Chapter Nine

        I didn’t want to move Alice’s legs off me incase I woke her up so I had one of the nurses bring me something to read. She brought me a sports magazine. I was reading an article about Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers quarter back when River showed up. He pulled the privacy curtain away so he could wheel himself inside and he shut the curtain behind him. He smiled at me and rocked back and forth in his wheel chair.

        “Do you like it?” River whispered. I gave him a smile and said, “It kind of suits you actually.”

        “The doctor said I’m going to be in this thing for two weeks.” He moved his wheel chair over so he could have a better look at Alice. He gently touched a dark purple bruise that was on her cheek bone.

        “She was refusing every test that ROIM had.” He started shaking his head.

        “I got assigned to help assists on one of her tests one day. She kept refusing the test so Dr. Maston showed her videos of her family being tortured. It was sick.” His eyes met mine and he added, “I’ve never seen someone with such a strong will before. Usually ROIM will end up breaking them down to the point where they just go along with all of their tests no matter what it is, but Alice wouldn’t break, even when they started to physically hurt her she still wouldn’t give them what they wanted.” He said as he looked back to her. What River said kind of got to me. Alice had refused every test ROIM had, but I went along with all of them.

        I should have refused the tests too. I started shaking my head to myself.

        “My father, and yours were both waiting for me in my room yesterday after one of the tests.” When I said that River’s eyes shot up to mine.

        “What did they want?” He asked.

        “I don’t really know actually.” I said and I told River the conversation that I had with him.

        “God they both have some serious issues.” River said. I just nodded in response.

        “When was the last time that you talked to your dad?” I asked.

        “A couple days ago, I’ve been avoiding him since you got taken to ROIM. I didn’t want him asking about you, he can always tell when I’m lying.” He said. I looked over at Alice. Her chest was rising and falling with even breaths. There was a lock of hair covering her face, I gently moved it from her face. I slowly moved my hand up and down her arm.

        “You love her, don’t you?” River asked. I forgot he was there for a moment. I looked over at him and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

        “I think I just might.” I said looking back at Alice. I took her petite hand in mine, it was still warm but not sweaty anymore. Her hands were starting to feel more like her now.

        “You’re different with her. When you look at her your eyes are almost filled with love.” He said as we both laughed a little. “I know that sounds super cheesy and cliché, but it’s true.” He added. It did sound super cheesy and cliché, but that was the easiest way to describe it.

        “I’m going to go get some dinner, want me to bring you something?” He asked as he turned himself around in the wheel chair. I nodded my head. He lifted the privacy curtain and I could hear him wheel himself to the kitchen. Alice stirred a little and open her eyes. She looked over at me and smiled.

        “I heard what you said to River.” Her voice was scratchy and barley above a whisper.

        “And what might that have been?” I asked with my eyebrows raised.