Page 63 of Pain

"He was scared too." Xander looked over at Matt. "He missed you so much."

"Where's Beth and Carrie?" she asked.

Xander hated that he had to lie to her, but he couldn't let on he knew there were other girls with her. "Who are they?"

"The bad guy took them too. They were with me in the room he made us stay in."

"Were they with you when the police came?"

She nodded.

"Then I am guessing they are here in the hospital too, with their parents. Maybe tomorrow we can ask if you can see them if you want."

"I want to. " Faith looked at her dad. "Is he mad at me?"

Xander leaned closer. "Why would he be mad at you?"

"Because I wasn't careful. Because I let the bad guy take me."

"No, he's not mad at you. He's mad at the bad guy. He knows you didn't want to go with him."

"I didn't even see him. He just grabbed me as I walked past the van." Faith closed her eyes. "I didn't think I'd ever get to see my dad again."

"He hasn't stopped searching for you. It's all he thought about. He loves you so much."

Faith smiled. "I love him too." She looked back at Xander. "Did that hurt?"

"Did what hurt?" He was confused.

She pointed at his arms. "The tattoos."

"Ah, a little bit." Xander rubbed his arms. "It's uncomfortable, but doesn't really hurt. It's like a bunch of little pinches when you get the tattoo, but the feeling goes away fast."

"Do you have them all over?"

Xander grinned. "Almost my whole body, my back, arms, and legs."

"How did you know what to get?"

"It took a long time to decide. I wasn't sure what I wanted at first, but I got these." He rubbed his hand over the thick bands around his upper arm. "Then the others later."

"I like those. They are like Zee's stripes." She lifted her stuffed animal, so he could see.

"You're right, they are. Maybe I like zebras too."

"Have you been to the zoo?"

"Not in a long time. My mom took me when I was about your age. I think that was the last time."

"That was a long time ago then because you're old."

Xander laughed. "You're right. It was a long time ago. Maybe once you get better, you and your dad can talk me into going with you. Would you like that?"

"Yeah, I love the zoo. It's one of my favorite places. Where is your favorite place?"

Xander thought about it. Did he even have one? "Um, I don't know. There is this great place I used to hike where there was this huge waterfall. I liked to go up there and sit. It helped me think and feel happy when I was sad. That might be my favorite place."

Faith frowned. "Why were you sad?"