Page 71

CHAPTER

FIFTEEN

Belle

I didn’t see the other woman in the room when I first walked in, my focus solely on Moira. She doesn’t look like she did when I last saw her, so I know that the man Jingles called Angel worked on her as well. “Mo?” I ask, slowly moving to the bed where she’s propped up against a bunch of pillows.

She doesn’t turn her head to look at me; no, she continues looking straight ahead. Even when I reach out and take her hand in mine, I get no response whatsoever, which breaks my heart.

“Hi, who are you?” A female voice asks.

Turning, I see an attractive woman coming out of the bathroom, only I don’t recognize her at all.

“I’m Belle, who are you?” I question.

“Nylah. I’m Rael’s ol’ lady. He’s from the Tonopah chapter, and brought me because I’m a nurse, only Angel did a lot of the work for me.”

“Has she said anything at all?” I ask.

“Not a peep. Even when me, Rory, and Ryleigh bathed her, she didn’t utter a word, flinch, or act as though anything was happening.”

“That’s not good,” I whisper. “How far in your head are you, Mo?” I quietly ask. “Please, come back, Sleeper’s friends found us. We’re safe again.”

Nylah sits on the other side of the bed and takes the bowl that was sitting on the nightstand in her hands. She carefully spoons a little of the soup in Moira’s mouth, and I watch my friend swallow, but there’s no change to the expression on her face. It’s as though she’s eating by rote.

“Is she… can she hear me?” I inquire.

“As far as I know, yes, she can. I always tell families to talk to their people as though they’re answering them, even when they’re unconscious or in a coma. I think your friend is in a catatonic state, likely due to the trauma she suffered.”

“What helps that?” I probe, willing to do whatever it takes to get my friend back.

“There’s a working theory that certain medications can help because they work on the areas of the brain affected. Unfortunately, since I’m just a nurse, I don’t have any of those, and from what I understand, the hospital is not an option due to the circumstances.”

“No, no hospital,” I rush out.

“You appear to be in decent shape,” Nylah says.

“Apparently, Angel worked on me before they ever brought me back here. I still have a small bruise on my chin, but considering the asshole who was beating on me shattered my jaw, I feel very fortunate.”

“I bet you do,” Nylah replies, as she continues to slowly feed Moira.

I’m equal parts fascinated and appalled because she’s swallowing as though she’s awake and functional, but her expression and mannerisms never waver. It’s kind of freaky, at least to me, but I’ll keep that thought to myself.

“I’m going to go find Jingles. Do you need anything?” I question, anxious to leave the room.

Then I chastise myself because what kind of best friend does that make me? A shitty one, that’s for sure. Guilt swamps me because I know Mo would be doing everything in her power to wake me up. Leaning over, I wrap my arms around her and pull her into a hug.

“Please, Mo, come back to me. There’s so much more we both wanna do, remember? Plus, I met a guy. Okay, I’ve known him for a long time, but after all the shit we went through, I figured I’d tell him about my crush, and guess what? He’s receptive to me! I’m kind of stunned to be honest, and I don’t know how we’re going to work it all out since I live in Cleveland and he lives here, but honestly, outside of finishing up school, I don’t know if I can live in Cleveland again after what happened. So, I need you to snap out of this and help me figure shit out.”

Despite my heartfelt words, she remains motionless in my embrace, causing tears to prick the back of my eyes. I refuse to cry any more, though, so I move back and smile at Nylah. “Thank you for what you’re doing for her.”

“My pleasure, Belle. Glad to meet you. I’m sure I’ll see you downstairs at dinner.” Her soft, kind words help me relax.

Clearing my throat, I say, “Probably so. This whole thing is new to me, to be honest.”

“What whole thing?” she asks, leaning forward.

“Well, my brother’s a member in another chapter, but they don’t have many ol’ ladies. Plus, he’s kept me away from the club for the most part, so I’m afraid I’ll say or do something that’s wrong.”

“Just ask your ol’ man, he’ll tell you if there are any rules you have to follow,” Nylah suggests.

“That sounds like a good plan,” I admit. “I’ll see you later at dinner.”

Before I head downstairs, I go back to the room I’ve been given, close and lock the door, then take another shower. It’s not that Ryleigh and Rory didn’t get me clean; I just want the luxury of bathing myself with no one watching me since I was never really left alone when we were with Alvin and company.

Shuddering at the memory of him, I make quick work of drying myself off, relotioning my dry skin, then putting on another soft, comfortable outfit. This one is a pair of blue jeans that feel as though they’ve been pounded by rocks, they’re so soft, and I add a purple Henley long-sleeve shirt since I’m still chilled.

“Must be all the weight I’ve lost,” I mutter as I brush out my hair then quickly put it into a high ponytail. Finally satisfied, I slip on socks and a pair of low boots, then head out in search of Jingles, who is apparently my man now.