Killer One ✓

Chapter 19

Staying in the diner was nice. We had a moment to rest, decompress, and mentally prepare for the other half of the hike. It wasn't far, not really. But it was going to take a long time. We drank more water and Travis didn't run to the bathroom immediately after which was progress.

We ended up staying an hour when Travis didn't get up from the seat immediately. We walked outside and one look at the sky told me it wouldn't be long before it started to get dark. It was baffling because we'd hardly done much with the day and it was already leaving. We had slept a good portion of the morning and early afternoon away but I felt like I was running on no sleep.

I replayed Ben's side of his conversation with Finn countless times as we continued to walk because it gave me hope. Finn was okay. Everything was going to be okay. But one part of the conversation kept sticking out to me.

"You know what Vik said?" I asked after we started walking again. We'd stopped to give Travis a break. "About Lucky," I clarified because I wanted to make sure Cameron knew. "We did do it. We killed him."

Cameron looked over at Ben and myself. "I know."

"You do?" I asked, because Vik talked a lot of crap on a regular day and I wouldn't have put it past him to falsely accuse us of killing Lucky just so he could hurt someone.

"He said he heard you guys with Lucky. I didn't think you would've left that room unless he wasn't breathing," Cameron admitted.

I wasn't sure if he meant that he knew we'd kill him or if he thought that unless we did, Lucky would've killed us before letting us leave the room. Both options seemed just as likely.

We walked and silence found us again. It was fine. I didn't mind the quiet. It let me hear Ben and Travis' huffing so I knew how they were. As with the first half of our walk, we stopped often.

Travis stood there grabbing at his legs with us standing around. Cameron titled his head to the side watching Travis, as if this wasn't something he'd done half a dozen times already.

"Lift your pants up," Cameron said.

Travis lifted his gaze, giving Cameron a very confused look.

Cameron pointed. "Your pant legs. Lift them."

Travis did as he was asked this time and my hand went to my mouth.

"Huh," was all Travis said as he observed his right ankle. It was red, swollen, and angry. "That explains some things, yeah?"

"What happened?" Cameron asked.

Travis was still bent over and looking at his ankle. "I don't know."

Cameron took two steps to get closer to Travis and motioned for him to stand straight. Cameron lifted Travis' shirt up as high as he could get it. There was a boot shaped bruise on his abdomen. Cameron went behind Travis and lifted the shirt while Travis continued to inspect his own chest. Cameron's expression didn't change when he saw Travis' back but it didn't worsen either, which was key.

Travis on the other hand, looked at the boot mark in a childlike wonder.

"Let me see your thighs," Cameron instructed. Travis looked around, making sure we were the only ones out here before undoing his pants. He lowered them so he was standing in his boxers with his pants at his knees. Black and blue color was thrown over his skin like a modern painting. The picture changed depending on which angle you looked at it.

"Who did this," Cameron's voice was low and Travis pulled his pants back up.

"Dunno," Travis admitted and went back to looking at the boot mark. "Can't remember."