Bouncer (Kings of Carnage Series Book 5) by Kim Jones

Author:Kim Jones [Jones, Kim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-05-31T18:30:00+00:00

Thirteen

APPLE

I don’t know what day it is.

The room stays dark, so I’m not sure when it’s morning or night.

Time is measured by when I wake up, and when I fall asleep.

Bouncer is always here when I rouse with pills in hand and a cool bottle of liquid I can’t taste. He helps me to the bathroom. Carries me back to bed. Tucks me in. Holds me until I fall asleep. Then the process repeats itself over and over.

Today is different.

When I wake up, I’m not cold. I’m covered in sweat. The covers are kicked to the end of the bed. I’m thirsty and hungry. But most importantly, I’m alone.

Where is Bouncer?

Did he leave?

Is he gone for good?

The feeling of loneliness doesn’t settle well with me.

Before I do something stupid, like cry, I force myself to a sitting position and swing my legs over the side of the bed. When I feel balanced enough to stand, I ease myself up and take small steps to the bathroom.

I’m stiff and sore—a result of lying in bed for so long. I’m winded by the time I make it to the bathroom. A small cough turns into a coughing fit that ends with me hacking up some nasty shit that I’m thankful Bouncer isn’t here to witness. I’m no doctor, but I know enough to understand that this is a good sign. The infection in my lungs is breaking up. Even if it is super disgusting.

I stand at the sink and turn the cold water on, splashing it on my face and rinsing my mouth. I feel so sticky and gross. I glance at the shower. It’s a bad idea, but I’m willing to risk it. I know I’ll feel better once I’m clean.

“Apple?!”

My heartbeat picks up at the sound of Bouncer’s voice.

“Here,” I say, just as I feel his hands at my waist.

“What the fuck are you doing out of bed?” His tone is a bit too loud and I wince.

“Please don’t yell.”

“I’m not yelling,” he mumbles. “Let me help you.” He guides me to the toilet and tugs my panties down then lifts my shirt over my hips before helping me sit. “Fever must’ve broke. You’re drenched. Stay here. I’ll get the thermometer.”

I’m still peeing when he returns. It should be weird, but it’s not. The knowledge that he’ll soon leave and I won’t have to see his face every day helps. It also hurts. But instead of focusing on that, I imagine he’s a nurse’s aide and this is a hospital. It’s stupid, but it works.

He drags the thermometer across my forehead. When it beeps, I look up and he turns it around so I can read the digital screen as he reads it aloud.

“Ninety-eight point six. Perfect.”

Perfect.

Ha.

“I can’t smell, but I’m sure I stink,” I say, unrolling some tissue.

He bats my hands away and grabs it himself. “You don’t stink.” When he bends me forward, I stiffen. But I’m too weak to fight him.

“I can do that,” I rush to

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