Chapter Nine
Idris’s vision became clear. He saw the hospital bed and the ceiling. The TV was playing bad daytime television. And then he saw Darlene. She stood up when she realized he was awake.
“Hey,” she said softly.
Idris’s entire body was numb with pain. It had been a day since the attack on Atticus. He had opted to go to the hospital. Mark was two rooms down. He was being released later on today, Idris had learned, but his own injuries weren’t that simple. Broken ribs, broken nose, and broken leg – he was a mess.
He felt like a mess on the inside, too. He felt like an asshole.
“Hey.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Terrible,” Idris said.
“They’re about to let Mark go. I just wanted to see you.”
“Thanks. How is Liara?”
“She’s okay. She was here earlier. She wanted to see you but you
