Alex was empty.
I went back upstairs, grabbed a towel from the dark bathroom and cleaned myself up. Back in the bedroom, I glanced at the oversized couch pushed up against the wall, and then grabbed a thin quilt off the end of the bed. Every cell in my body demanded to be close to her, but it seemed wrong. If she woke with me beside her, I was afraid it would upset and confuse her. That was the last thing I wanted. Easing down on my side, I spread the quilt out and watched her sleep until exhaustion pulled me under.
CHAPTER 7
ALEX SLEPT FOR NEARLY TWENTY-FOUR HOURS, WAKing up minutes before I caved to my growing concern. Late in the night, we went downstairs and, between the two of us, we just about cleaned out the fridge. She was still fidgety and would only do something if I told her to, but by the time morning came around, shed loosened up enough that it was almost like being around a very calm and sedated Alex.
We moved from the kitchen to the sunroom and stayed there. She didnt talk to me unless I asked her a question. After investigating every flower and plant in the room, she sat on one of the window seats and remained there, gazing at the thick woods that surrounded the safe house.
I sat beside her, on the other end of the window seat, surprisingly content to just be there with her. I wanted to know what she was thinking and each time I asked, the answer was the same.
Nothing, she said, not taking her gaze off the glass walls.
That was like a cut to the chest, but not as bad as when thered be footsteps in the hallway or voices nearing and Alex would lock up. Shed look away from the woods then, staring at the closed door. Panic would fill the brown and amber eyes. Solos came into the sunroom at one point, checking to see if we needed anything from the nearby town.
The only person she didnt freak over was her uncle. Was it some kind of leftover familial bond? But even then, she treated him the same way she treated me. Marcus had the same amount of luck that I did drawing her into a conversation. After that, I decided it would be best to keep her away from the rest of the household.
Finally, after hours of being together, her eyes focused on me. I pretended not to notice, but I was aware of her gaze traveling down.
Alex moved suddenly, slower than she normally would, and grasped my hands in hers. Your hands
Stunned that she was even touching me, I couldnt respond. Like an idiot, I sat there as her thumbs smoothed over the bones in my hand, stopping short of the raw knuckles.
Youre hurt, she said. Why are you hurt?
As gently as I could, I pulled my hands free. Im not hurt. Its nothing to worry about.
Her lashes swept up as she searched my face. Then she nodded and settled back, staring down at her own hands with a frown.
She tired quickly after that, becoming lethargic before it was nine. I managed to get her to eat before I took her back upstairs. She was out the minute her head hit the pillow, and I retreated to the couch. We repeated the same action the next day, and it was like there was a giant clock over our heads, counting down the minutes until Id need to give her another dose.
We spent the morning in the sunroom, but I coaxed her out of that room, mainly because I was going to lose my ever-loving mind if I had to look at another plant again. The den was always occupied by my brother, Lea, and Luke, but there was another sitting room upstairs that was full of books. I took her up there after grabbing a bag of chips and a grape soda for her to snack on.
I watched her move around the room, looking for signs that she was growing antsy. She stopped in front of a desk, picked up a pen and then placed it down. Her fingers roamed over the top of a notepad, and then she made her way to a bookcase. She stood there, brow pinched as she placed a finger on the spine of each book.
Do you want to read something? I asked.
She jumped at the sound of my voice, and then lowered her chin obediently.
I started toward her but stopped. Any unexpected movement seemed to send her fleeing. Its okay, Alex. If you want to read something you can.
My name is not Alex, she whispered. It is Alexandria.
A dull burn started in my chest,
under my heart. But you like to be called Alex.
Shaking her head, she backed away from the books and slowly headed toward the TV, eyes downcast. She stopped in front of the blank screen. I picked up a small statue of Athena, and then placed it back down. I wanted to go to her, to hold her, but I wasnt sure how shed respond. Everything between us was stilted and awkward.
Want to watch something?
Her chin shot up, but she didnt look at me. At her sides, her hands opened and closed. May I?
May I? Gods, when Alex was better, she was going to flip out. You can do what you want.
A small, tentative smile pulled at her lips and her lashes swept up, revealing those shattered eyes. I breathed out slowly, but it did nothing to ease the pressure clamping down on my chest. Her gaze flickered away from mine. Will you