Cloud Dust: RD-1 (R-D #1)(53)

"Look, there are two bathrooms; who wants to go first? First-aid kits are in both," Rafe said.

"James, why don't you go?" I said, offering one of the bathrooms. James had a nasty cut on his chin and his shirt was hanging in shreds from his right arm. "I can help with the cuts after you clean up if you want."

"I'll take the help," he nodded.

"Auggie, take the other one. You don't look so good," I said, nodding to him. "I still think you ought to have that cut on your arm sutured."

"I'll find bandages," Leo offered. Of all of us, he'd been in the front and gotten the least of the blast. "Corinne, I'll take care of James after he showers; I'm worried about his wrist. Meanwhile, you and Rafe should let me know if anything needs attention."

"I'm okay, I think," I replied. "Just shaky as usual. Rafe?" I turned to him, then.

"I'm as well off as you—probably better," he said. "I just want a shower soon, that's all."

*

Ilya

I'd landed atop Corinne, so she'd hit her head on the courtyard stones. That's where the bloody nose had come from. I'd shielded our backs, therefore it was our fronts that received the damage.

"Cabbage, come into the kitchen; I'll clean your face," I offered.

"Well, since you can see it and I can't," she shrugged.

"Let me know if you need help," Dr. Shaw said as I led Corinne toward the small kitchen sink.

"Now," I said, pulling a clean kitchen towel from a drawer and turning on the taps. "Let's see how bad this nose is."

"I can't feel it," she said. "I'm too scared, I think."

"Then I'll make an assessment and determine whether Dr. Shaw should take a look. You may not feel the full extent of your injuries until later, anyway." Placing my hands beneath her arms, I set her on the kitchen counter. When the water was warm enough, I wet the towel and began cleaning her face.

"It's still bleeding," I said, wiping fresh blood away from her nose. "Here," I pulled a paper towel from the nearby roll and handed it to her. "Apply pressure while I clean the rest of this."

"Okay, boss."

"Yes," I nodded at her statement. "I am the boss right now. If you hurt anywhere, I expect you to tell me."

"Do I get to be the boss when I clean you up?"

"You can be as bossy as you like. Whether I listen or not is another thing."

"Typical."

"If typical involves my anger and concern after my cabbage is hurt, then yes, I am typical."

"I feel the same way, you know," she pointed out. "I want to slap somebody down for what they did to you, James and the others."

"Then I appreciate your concern and anger on my behalf," I said. "There is a terrible bruise on your forehead. I thought it might be mostly dirt. It is mostly bruise, instead."

"I don't really feel it," she shook her head at me.

"Hold still, my darling. Let me clean the rest of this. Then we'll let Dr. Shaw have a look."

I wasn't expecting what happened next—her eyes filled with tears. "What is wrong? Did I hurt you?" I asked, pulling the cloth away.

"Oh, God, Ilya, where have you been all this time?" She wrapped her arms around my neck and sobbed.

*

Corinne

Why can one gentle word of endearment make you fall apart? "I'm so sorry," I sniffled and attempted to pull away.

"No," he said, running a hand down my back in a soothing caress. "Don't be sorry. We've had too many brushes with death lately. Your reaction is understandable."

"This is such a horrible mess." I leaned away successfully, then. "Come on, let's look at you, now. Any particular place to start?"

His left elbow was bruised where he'd landed on the stone courtyard, and ought to be X-rayed. I didn't say that as I cleaned dirt and grit away from his skin. Both of us looked as if we'd been tossed off a moving motorcycle, front-first.

"The President is shutting down this operation for now," August walked into the kitchen holding up his cell phone. "She's calling us back. Nick has disappeared."

*

The flight home wasn't comfortable—even cleaned up we looked as if we'd been in a brawl and come out losers. "I'm sorry," I patted Rafe's hand.

"I will track him eventually. And her, too. I hope they know I'm on their trail," Rafe growled softly.

"Any idea where Nick is?" August settled onto the seat across the aisle and pointed his question at me.

"He's hunting Becker," I said.

"To join him?"

"To kill him."

"I thought they were friends."

"That was before Becker and Gene got Preston, Vance, Carol, Ken and Kevin killed. Every time I saw him after the Mansion bombing, he looked like a pressure cooker about to explode."

"So he's hunting on his own," August dropped his head against the seat back with a sigh. "This isn't good."

"He could get himself killed," Rafe said. "Cutter has too many resources at his disposal."