Page 49 of Redemption (Devil Dogs of the Apocalypse #4)

“It’s funny, you remind me of someone,” Hawk says, pulling my focus from the kaleidoscope of colors covering his skin.

“Have you ever seen that show on TV where they remade all the Disney characters into real life and made Captain Hook all hot and bothersome? Made the ladies go absolutely bonkers over the villain turned heartthrob?” A smirk pulls at his mangled lips.

“I bet you’d look pretty scrumptious with some eyeliner.

Got that whole gothic pirate look down. Take it as an invitation. You can shiver me timbers any day.”

I smile at his antics—his way of diffusing the situation, to get me to breathe, knowing he’s ok—and laugh discreetly. At least they didn’t fuck up his brain when they beat the hell out of him.

“So... I’m going to need a few samples from you before I go.

Just some blood and urine, if you don’t mind.

” I hate to do it, but I need to keep up this charade.

Now that I’ve found Hawk, I need to stay in everyone’s good graces so I’m able to get the freedom I need to wander the encampment and find Jax and Aly.

If that means going along with what Locke asked for—something as simple as some blood and piss—they can have it.

“Aching to see my dick, Doc?” Hawk asks with barely restrained sarcastic enthusiasm, continuing to use the pseudonym we’ve always used instead of the one this community chose for me.

I lift my pen and point it at him. “Ah, now that you mention it, I do have to give you a little prick while we’re at it.”

Gathering the necessary materials, I begin working, making sure I’m as gentle as possible while filling the air with random bullshit to keep our minds preoccupied.

I don’t rush, letting the draws do their thing, and then later helping Hawk limp across the hall to use the facilities.

All too soon, however, our time is up, and I know I need to return his patient file to Locke and Stitch before they start getting suspicious as to why I’m taking so long.

Regretfully, I stand and lean slightly over Hawk.

“Well.... You’ll definitely be seeing more of me, Mr. E.

I’m going to go put this file back into your records and run those tests, but I’ll see you in a little bit.

Do me a favor and get some rest. I’ll try to make sure to keep you in this wing until we’re able to release you.

” I give a firm little nod to reassure him, lifting my fist to subtly bump his before I leave the room and move on to the other patients in my ward.

“Everything go ok?” Locke asks, lifting his head from the filing cabinet.

“Yeah, no problems at all.”

“You got the samples? And he didn’t fight you?” he asks curiously.

I lift my gloved hands, holding up the samples. “Blood and urine. So, yes and no. He was actually very civil when I talked to him.”

“Well, fuck me sideways,” he says under his breath, eyes widening as he takes the samples from me.

“Eh, he wasn’t too bad,” I reply, hiding the smile I have for how proud I am that he fought back every step of the way.

“I’ve handled much worse in the past, but like you said, he is in awful shape.

It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to let his care be handled consistently; that way, the person handling his case is immediately made aware of any changes to his mental or physical status over the course of his recovery. ”

“Yeah, that’s actually a good idea. Since you were able to get those samples out of him without any trouble, I’ll let you take him on. But make sure he’s recuperating as quickly as possible. David wants him on a project detail ASAP.”

“Sounds good.” I pick up the next clipboard from the pile and head back down the hallway.

The rounds go relatively smoothly—a scraped knee here, a busted finger there, nothing crazy.

Stitch and Locke even offered to let me leave and get some rest, but I refused them each time, making sure to check in with Hawk a handful more times just to prove to myself he’s still there and is ok, instead.

Not to mention, it’s also a strategic choice.

In every experiment, there are variables and constants.

Likewise, in search and rescue missions, depending on the circumstances, it’s typically best if one person remains at a designated spot, acting as a constant, if you will.

If the missing person is on the move—acting as an ever-changing variable—the chances of them running into someone standing still at a place of interest are higher than if the many moving variables try to find one another in the chaos.

In my case, I’ve managed to infiltrate a medical facility.

A living, breathing hub for any community.

Which means everyone’s bound to come through here eventually, especially if they’re new arrivals needing to take those tests Locke was referring to.

For all I know, Aly and Jax might fall into my lap just like Hawk did, and I don’t want to miss the opportunity to intercept their “care” if that does happen.

In the meantime, there’s still plenty of knowledge to be gained from the other people stopping in with those minor scrapes and strains.

Hours inevitably go by, and, before I know it, I’m back at the Infirmary’s data desk, putting the final file back in the cabinet for the night.

Stitch comes around the corner then, smiling as he takes me in. “Hey, you. Looks like you’re fitting in nicely. How’d your first shift go?”

“I think it went pretty well. Accomplished a lot today.”

“New guy even managed to get number three to actually comply with testing without the need for sedation,” Locke interjects with astonishment.

Stitch’s eyebrows lift, stunned. “Really? Well, from what I’ve heard, that certainly hasn’t been an easy task to handle.

Good for you.” He tilts his head to the doorway.

“Come on, I’ll show you where you’re staying.

After everything you’ve been through, I’m sure you’re bushed and could use some rest yourself. ”

Although I’m exhausted—having barely had any sleep in the past forty-eight hours—I’m weary of leaving Hawk behind and can’t help but ask, “You sure you don’t need me to stay a little while longer?”

He shakes his head, “Nah, Locke is about to give everyone dinner, and there are just a few more samples left to process. Won’t take but an hour or so before Forge shows up for the night watch.”

Reluctantly, I give in and allow him to lead the way out onto the dusky road, silently saying a see you tomorrow to Hawk.

Although, I’m still anxious at the fact that I have no choice but to leave him alone in that room for the night, I’ve just been made the sole provider in charge of his care.

Which means I’ll know where he is all day, every day, so he’ll be easy enough to keep track of and keep safe.

All I have to do now is find Jax and Aly.