Fire and Silk [A Ben Hardy/Four Fanfiction] ON STANDBY

11

Estelí, Nicaragua

0000

After stuffing ourselves with local foods, making fun of Three and wondering what was next, we had each started to disperse to our separate rooms. A night like that was enough to K.O. all of us. 

I followed Five outside, taking in the warm air once again. The doctor had been silent for most of the night. I first thought she was drained from the mission, but her expression, pensive and reflective, told otherwise.

"Which side do you sleep on?" I questioned her as we entered our bedroom.

"Whichever."

She definitely seemed distant, but I didn't argue. I slipped on the right side like I always did, feeling the tiredness trying to drag me down. As Five joined me, my eyes were already closed, but my mind was still racing.

The event of the night had stirred me all over. A stream of flashes passed through my mind, projecting a strange film under my eyelids. I tried to forget the feelings that had succumbed me, the sheer panic and the pure adrenaline, but it was not an easy task.

I heard the sound of the knife penetrating Four's palm over and over again. It stuck to me like a bee to flowers, or perhaps like a seagull to a McDonald's French fry.

My leg twitched, remembering the pain it had gone through, even though I didn't feel much anymore. I could also feel my jaw clench and unclench repeatedly, as if I was still stuck in that room with Skywalker. Everything was still so fresh, so vivid.

"Does your leg hurt?"

Even if I was far from asleep yet, Five's voice still startled me, provoking my body to jump.

"Nah, the meds are working beautifully." I stated, slowly turning my head toward her.

She simply nodded in return, her eyes focused on a book.

"How can you read right now?" I retorted, surprised.

She shrugged her shoulders, adjusting her position in the bed.

"It helps me calm down."

I couldn't argue with that. I wish I had something that could push me to relax, but I wasn't able to focus on a book anymore, not like I used to in my younger years. I sighed and slid even farther under the blanket, covering half of my body even though it was still steaming hot.

"What are you reading?" I inquired, my nerves still wreaking havoc.

I had thought she would've been annoyed with me, but on the contrary, she looked please by the distraction. Somehow, even with all the hostility between us, I could feel us bonding. My guess: that's what almost dying together does to people.