The Hidden Orphan (The Chronicles of Mistar - Book 2)

Eleven · · · Dusk (.2)

The skin healer snarled at him. "What?" he snapped.

The metal absorber in the back cleared her throat making the skin healer glance at her stern face. She could tell the skin healer wasn't very kind to his patients and needed to work on it.

"I want a scar," Dusk replied, his mouth suddenly dry.

"Why?" the skin healer asked as if Dusk's request was so odd that it seemed impossible.

"Personal reasons," Dusk said not wanting to give him more.

After a few seconds, the skin healer growled, "Fine." He looked at Dusk's hand on his wrist. "But only if you get your filthy mitt off my arm."

The metal absorber grunted again but the skin healer didn't turn to look at her this time. He knew what she meant.

Dusk slowly let go of the skin healer's wrist. Without warning, the skin healer drew his hand over bullet wound leaving a splayed out scar that looked like a broken star that lost its light. Dusk seized a hiss, not ready for the pain that exploded in his lower abs.

"Grim," the metal absorber said sternly, stepping forward ready to push the skin healer back.

"What?" Grim asked, turning to her. "He wanted a scar, so I gave him one."

"You don't have to do it like that," the blood healer said quietly behind him.

"Whatever, Lyla," he sneered at her. "You're too kind to see people's true intentions."

Lyla, the blood healer, then grumbled, "I can see yours."

The metal absorber stepped forward again, Dolly right at her heels, "Not in front of the patients."

Walking out of the room, the last thing Grim said was, "Who cares, Anna. Let them hear what they want."

Anna rolled her eyes but then gave a quick bow to Dusk and Cadi before she followed Grim out the room with Dolly at her heels. Lyla didn't leave yet though. Dusk watched her step up to and put a delicate hand on his shoulder.

"I'll be back with a pair of clothes for you in about ten minutes," she said smiling. Motioning to his fresh scar, she added, "It will be sore for some. Hard to walk on so you might need help." Backing away, she said, "I'll take my leave now. Be back."

And then she was gone. Dusk didn't have time to say thank you or goodbye. He turned to Cadi and gave her a sideways smile.

"That was hectic," he said, trying for a laugh.

Cadi didn't laugh. "Does it hurt?" she asked. Without an answer, she reached over and added, "Can I touch it?"

"Sure. If you want," Dusk replied. "Can you help me up?"

Cadi backed away after her fingers lightly skimmed over his scar, his chest bare. Dusk definitely needed a shirt. Plus, a better pair of pants. The ones he was wearing were more like a loose pair of white boxer underwear.

"Right now?" Cadi asked, sounding uncertain. "But... that just happened! You can't possibly want to walk now."

Dusk laughed. It didn't hurt as much anymore. "Not walk," he corrected her. "Maybe just stand. I'm tired of sitting."

"You always have been," Cadi grunted. "Fine. I'll help. But if you fall, I'm not blaming me."

"And that sounds like you," Dusk replied.

Using his arms to push himself up, he sat up straight. It felt nice, but also strange. He got dizzy for only a few seconds, before effortlessly swinging his legs over the side of the bed. Cadi then sat on the bed next to him, putting her arm underneath his and onto his back to help lift him up. After many tries, they were finally standing, bringing a big smile to both of their faces.