Page 5 of Absolution

"Come again?" The commander searches my face, looking beyond this thin veil I've put up.

I jerk my head toward the buildings as we land. "The last time I laid eyes on this place was before my mission."

"We'll get you in triage first and catch up after." His smile doesn't go further, and the mountain of a man beside him stares out the window with a deep v cut between his eyes.

The doors fly open, followed by a flurry of activity. Bodies move in synchronized motion as I'm pulled from the interior and placed on a bed. I'm strapped in before I can ask where they're taking me.

"He's lost a lot of blood. Has he told you anything?" A woman leans over me, flashing a small light in my face.

I lift my hand, shielding my eyes. "Please, stop. The light is killing me."

"I'm sorry," she smiles, patting my hand. "we're going to run some tests, get you stitched up, and on your way to healing." A mask covers my face as her last words fade away.

I wake, disoriented and with the same throbbing around my head like a tightened belt on a Thanksgiving belly.

“Damn. Why does it have to hurt this much?” I wallow, trying to get upright but all I manage to do is make myself nauseous.

I take stock of my injuries, and scan the room looking for anything I can hurl in. The trash can is the closest object I can aim at.

My stomach lurches, and I throw my upper body over the side and hit the can. With every jerk of my body, it sends excruciating pain coursing throughout.

“If it wasn’t for the bed, I’d think I was still in the damn hole.” I roll over onto my back, throwing my arm over my eyes. “And the fucking bright lights.”

“Dude! Is the food here that bad?” I raise my arm as Mark strolls through the door.

“Yes.” Is the only word I can gather enough strength to mutter.

Mark leans over me, narrowing his eyes. “You look like shit! I thought this place was supposed to fix you?”

“He looked like ass before he was held captive.” Quinn quips, enticing a chuckle from me.

I grunt, pulling my hands out in front me and flipping them off. “Fuck you both! I can bag your ole ladies any damn day.”

“Tell me again why we rescued this little shit?” Mark gripes, curling his lip at me.

“Don’t hate the player, hate the fact your woman would so do me.” I snicker, and pain shoots through me, making me clutch my ribs.

Quinn raises his brows. “You have to learn when to be a smartass and when not to be.”

“Point taken.” I struggle to sit upright when Mark slides his hand behind my back.

“I gotcha.” He gives me the leverage to help myself.

I flash him a grin. “I knew it.”

“Me too.” Quinn laughs when I cut my eyes at him.

“Knew what?” Mark scratches his head.

“That you were sweet on me.” I waggle my brows. Mark rolls his eyes, shrugging me off.

“Why did we come by again?”

Quinn laughs harder. “Just checking in with Hatch. You need anything, man?”

“For my head to stop pounding.” I pick at my blanket, refusing to meet their eyes. “How long have I been here?”

Mark and Quinn share a quick glance, both hesitating to answer my question. It speaks volumes, even in my current state.