Awake
1047 Words
Xavier hit the gas. The SUV lurched forward, tires gripping the road as they sped toward the hospital.
“He’s alive,” Riley said. “I heard what happened to David. Message from the girl Micah, paramedics got him stable. Pulse was weak when they loaded him, but steady. They put oxygen on him right away. She said there is no internal bleeding they could see. He just needs rest.”
Xavier’s hands tightened on the wheel. “Good. That’s good.”
Riley looked out the window. “The guy we dropped… Luis Moreno. Vacationing in South Beach. Bullshit story. He’s the bomber. Had to be.”
Xavier nodded once. “We’ll run his prints. Get his full history. But right now we get to David.”
The hospital emergency entrance glowed ahead. Xavier pulled up near the ambulance bay. They both jumped out and ran inside.
The ER was busy but controlled. Nurses moved fast, monitors beeped steady. Micah sat in a chair near the trauma curtain, arms wrapped around herself, eyes red. She looked up the moment they entered and stood fast.
Xavier reached her first and pulled her into a quick, firm embrace. “Hey. He’s going to be alright.”
Micah clung to him for a second then stepped back, wiping her face. “They said he’s breathing fine. The doctor checked him and found no serious impact. Just fainting from the blast and the fall. He needs rest. That’s all.”
Riley let out a long breath. “See? Tough as nails. He’ll be up talking trash in no time.”
Micah’s voice shook. “I was so scared. If anything happens to him… me and Scott… we’re as good as dead. Aragua will find us. They’ll finish what they started.”
Xavier squeezed her shoulder. “Not while we’re here. We’ve got you covered. Both of you. David’s not going anywhere. Neither are you.”
A nurse stepped out from behind the curtain. “Family of David Wick?”
Micah stepped forward. “Me. I’m with him.”
The nurse nodded. “He’s stable. Mild concussion, he has bruise on the ribs and back. We’re keeping him overnight for observation. You can see him now, but keep it short.”
Micah looked at Xavier. “Come with me?”
Xavier nodded. “Riley, stay here. Call Marcus. Update him.”
Riley pulled out his phone. “On it.”
Micah and Xavier followed the nurse behind the curtain. David lay on the bed, oxygen mask over his mouth and nose, IV in his arm, monitors beeping slow and steady. His face was pale, a bruise blooming on his temple, but his chest rose and fell even.
Micah took his hand gently. “David…”
His fingers twitched but he didn’t wake.
Xavier stood back, arms crossed. “He’s strong. He’ll pull through.”
Micah nodded, tears falling again. “He has to.”
.
Scott walked into a small fast food joint near the port. The place smelled of fries and old coffee. His contact was a short man with a scar above his left eye named Tito. Tito sat in a corner booth nursing a soda.
Scott slid into the seat across from him. “You got something?”
Tito leaned in low. “Elena’s moving big tomorrow night. Private dock at the sea port. She’s meeting buyers from the Keys. Cocaine handoff. Three keys. And she’s bringing girls too, fresh ones. Word is she’s got a special one with her. A girl she keeps close, like she’s protecting her.”
Scott’s eyes narrowed. “Special how?”
Tito shrugged. “No one knows, but Elena’s protective on this one. Rico Valdez is on her security. There is a heavy crew. If you want in you go during the meet. Chaos is your best shot.”
Scott slid an envelope across the table with cash inside. “Thanks Tito.”
Tito pocketed it quick. “Watch yourself. Elena’s not playing.”
Scott stood. “I will.”
He left the joint walking fast into the night. Tito stayed at the table finishing his drink. Then two of his friends in hoodies joined him sliding into the booth.
“What did Scott want?” one asked low.
Tito glanced around. “He’s sniffing around Elena. Wants to know her next move, I don’t know why. I told him about the sea port meeting tomorrow night.”
The second man frowned. “After what happened to Javier? You think Scott’s clean?”
Tito shook his head. “Don’t know. But he’s asking questions. We should tell Pedro.”
They nodded.
An hour later they met Pedro Ruiz in a back alley near the precinct. Pedro leaned against his unmarked car with a glowing cigarette in the dark.
“Scott’s asking about Elena,” Tito said. “Knows about the port meet now.”
Pedro exhaled smoke. “Interesting. Keep eyes on him. Follow him everywhere. Supermarkets, boutiques, driving. Don’t approach. Don’t let him see you. Just watch. Report back.”
Tito nodded. “Yes sir.”
Pedro flicked the cigarette away. “If he’s turning we need to know before he does real damage.”
.
In a dark brothel house in Venezuela, Carolina mopped the floor. She wore a white gown that was dirty and torn at the hem. Her hair was messy and unkept falling in tangles around her face. She was barefooted. Wounds marked her skin and face, old bruises and new cuts. The mop moved slow across the cracked tiles. Her eyes were dull and empty.
She didn’t speak. She just kept working.
.
In the hospital room David’s eyes fluttered open. The oxygen mask fogged with his breath. Monitors beeped steady. He dreamed of Carolina. Her smile. Her voice calling his name.
“Carolina…” he whispered the moment his eyes opened.
Micah and Xavier drew near the bed fast.
Micah took his hand. “David? You’re awake.”
Xavier leaned in. “Easy. You’re okay. Just rest.”
David blinked slow. His voice was rough under the mask. “Where…?”
“Hospital,” Micah said tears in her eyes. “You’re safe. We’re here.”
David squeezed her hand weak but there. He was back.
- Writer
