“You put him down?”
Hatcher nodded slowly. “He begged me to.” His eyes began to get misty and he looked away. “I still have nightmares about it.”
“From what I’ve seen, you did him a favor.”
Hatcher nodded slowly. “Then don’t get me started with Buck.” He snorted a short laugh. “I can’t believe that little twerp not only survived on his own, but at ground zero.”
“I’d say he’s pretty damned innovative if he did.” Coop studied the man sitting beside him. “But now you’re convinced that the world is coming to an end?” He cleared his throat quickly. “Again, I mean.”
“I don’t know what I think. It’s just a gut feeling.”
“I’ve learned to trust those. Especially now.”
Vicky appeared in the doorway. “Danny? I don’t mean to interrupt but Trevor needs you. I think it’s important.”
Hatcher patted Coop’s arm then pushed up from the chair. “To be continued.”
“Hopefully at a more decent hour.”
Hatcher stepped into the hallway. “What’s wrong?”
Trevor pulled him gently away from the infirmary door. “There’s rumors of a cure?”
Hatcher nodded slowly. “I wouldn’t go counting chickens before they hatch.” Trevor wiped at his face and his hands began to shake. “Hey, what’s wrong? I thought it would be good news?”
Trevor nodded with his chin toward the lobby. “I’m thinking of Patricia.” He turned and gave Hatcher a worried look. “If she remembers half of the things that she’s gone through…”
Hatcher placed a gently hand on his shoulder. “One thing at a time.”
Trevor’s jaw trembled. “What if she remembers that I’m not her real dad?”
“She’ll remember that you were the one who stepped up and adopted her.” He squeezed Trevor’s shoulder. “These things have a way of working out.”
Trevor nodded slowly. “Still, I think maybe I should put some distance between her and anything that might remind her of…what happened.”
Hatcher stiffened and gave him a surprised look. “Just because they announce a cure doesn’t mean that it’s not dangerous out there. The infected can, and will, still kill you.”
“I know this.” He looked down at his shoes and slowly shook his head. “Me and Patricia can take care of ourselves.”
“And if the cure is real? Do you really want her out there on the road?” Hatcher lowered his voice and bent closer. “At least here you’ve got a support system. There’s food, shelter…heck, there’s other kids for her to play with.”
Trevor’s voice cracked as he spoke. “I just can’t risk her remembering everything that happened to her and her family. The things that Simon did.” He shivered and looked up at Hatcher. “I don’t want her to associate me with his actions.”
“Moving her to another place won’t change what she remembers.” Hatcher stepped back and eyed him. “I think it’s a mistake, but I won’t stop you. I just wish you’d really think about this before you do it.”
Trevor nodded slowly as he turned for the hallway. “I will.”
“Do what’s best for her, Trevor.”
“I always do.”
Kevin sat up in bed, his body soaked with sweat. He could feel his chest heave as he tried to suck in more air.
As his eyes adjusted to the darkness of his room, he slowly calmed down. He pulled the blankets away and swung his feet to the edge of the mattress. He sat on the edge of the bed and wiped the sweat from his brow. “This has got to stop.”
He stood and stretched, his muscles aching as though he’d been tense the entire time he slept. He pushed open the bathroom door and flipped on the light. He half expected to see his face covered in blood and was actually relieved that it wasn’t.
He splashed cold water onto his face and reached for a towel, his mind replaying the blood fest that he had just dreamt.
“Come back to bed,” a voice called from his room. Kevin stiffened and felt his blood run cold. He stepped from the bathroom and reached for the light switch.
“Who are you?” he asked as the light blinded his bedmate.
David Eubanks threw an arm up and covered his eyes. “Dick move, Kevin.” He rolled over and pulled a pillow over his face. “Turn off the lights.”
Kevin’s arm slowly reached for the switch and flipped the light off. “What…how are…”
“Please,” David whined. “Don’t play like you don’t remember.” He sat up and wiped at his eyes. “It’s not like you can claim you were drunk.”
Kevin stumbled back a step and shook his head. “But…I’m not gay.”
“And I’ll tell you again. I don’t care.” David groaned as he sat up and tossed the blankets off of his nude form. In the soft light of the bathroom, Kevin could just make out his silhouette.
Kevin swallowed hard and reached down to touch himself. “Did we?”
David pushed past him and stepped into the bathroom. “Not quite.” He gave him a wink as he relieved himself. As he reached for the handle to flush the toilet he turned and gave him a knowing look. “Close, but no banana.”
Kevin bristled as the man walked past him, brushing his arm with his chest as he turned to step out of the bathroom. “Why are you here then?”
David sat on the edge of the bed and began to pull his clothing back on. “Do you remember at chow when you smiled at me and said, ‘I could just eat you alive’? Well, I was hoping you would.” He clucked his tongue as he pulled his pants on. “Instead, I only got to go down on you.”
“You what?” Kevin blanched.
“Don’t get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed it but I would have really liked a little more interaction before you passed out on me.” He pulled his t-shirt on then reached for his BDUs. “It’s okay though. I’m patient.”
Kevin fell back against the bathroom door and shook his head. “Why don’t I remember any of that?”
“Bitch, please.” David stood and reached for his boots. “You were growling and
