“I’ll be better once Zane wakes up,” he answered, shrugging.
Chris cast Zane a worrying glance.Though his expression remained warm and comforting, the darkness of his eyes told another story.Chris almost lost his son.If Bailey was in his shoes, he didn’t know what he would do.
Chris returned his attention to Bailey.“Sorry to ask so soon, but did Antoine or anyone say anything to you?”
“Like what?”he asked, curious if this was Chris the detective asking, or Chris the father.
“Anything.Their plans.What they’ve been up to.Did you see anything peculiar?”
Bailey explained Rebirth might know how to take away mutations.Chris chuckled, the sound hollow and devoid of mirth.
“Bastards,” he whispered beneath his breath.“When I was undercover, I heard talk of such a plan, but they never seemed to get anywhere with it.”
“Do you think he was bluffing?”
“No, though I am sure there’s a catch.If they had that technology, they would use it.Still, I need to report this.Want me to get you anything while I’m out?”
“Out?”Baileys’ eyes widened at the thought of being alone.Zane was there, but unconscious, and he couldn’t defend them if anything happened.
“No need to worry.Believe me, Nate and Natalia are on Antoine’s trail and there are guards everywhere,” Chris explained.
“Last time we were in an unknown facility with guards everywhere and they still got in,” he countered, words hissed between clenched teeth.
Frowning, Chris gestured towards the door.“I won’t be long and I’m not going far, just to the cafeteria.”
Bailey squirmed, gaze shifting between the door and Chris.He gave a reluctant nod and requested a meal.His stomach had rumbled.Luckily, just as Chris was leaving, a doctor came for a checkup on Zane and Bailey, so he wasn’t completely alone.He got a glimpse into the hall, counting four armed guards.Then the doctor left, leaving Bailey with his thoughts.Said thoughts were limitless.
What happened at Raiffel?How did Zane survive having a father like Antoine?Who was Zane’s mother?Did Zane have any information about her at all?What exactly did Antoine want with Zane?What would be his overall scheme?And, the one thing that really bugged him, who was Isaiah?Zane didn’t actually kill Isaiah, did he?
Bailey shook his head, glancing at Zane resting in his bed.Even if he did, there was a reason for it.Antoine forced him.It was an accident.There had to be a catch.Especially after meeting the bastard.He and everyone at Rebirth loved games.Surely, they put Zane and Isaiah through some type of “game” that ended with Isaiah’s death.
The hospital door opened.Bailey jumped, then noticed Chris entering with food.His stomach growled.
“Thank you.”Bailey immediately shoved a spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.“Em stawing.”
Chris chuckled at Bailey, inhaling his food.Chris sat patiently at his bedside, reminding him to chew and swallow if he wished to live.He smiled.With some food in him, his body unwound.When he was done, the boy released a satisfied sigh, leaning back with a grin stretched from ear to ear.
“What did Antoine mean when he said you ran out of time?”he asked after Chris sat his empty tray aside.
“Ah, right, my mutation?I can stop time,” Chris explained.“But there’s a catch.It’s like I’m on a timer.I’ve got ten minutes.I could use two minutes in the morning, five in the afternoon, and three in the evening, but once I use ten minutes, then I have to wait three hours for it to start over again.”
“That’s amazing.”
Chris waved the compliment off, although his face stated he liked it.“It certainly comes in handy, but determining the best time to use it is a hassle.”
Chris glanced at Zane, a guilty expression in his eyes that Bailey understood.Chris probably wished for more time, for a way to prevent Zane’s attack.Bailey did too.
“I wish I could have done something,” he admitted.He felt weak, useless, always in the way.He couldn’t get away from Leona and couldn’t escape Antoine.Zane nearly died, could die because of Bailey’s weakness, and he hated himself for that.
“Bailey, you did a lot,” Chris argued.“You put up one hell of a fight against Leona.You survived their torture.You never gave up or stopped believing that we’d come for you.Hell, you hit Antoine with a rock to protect Zane, even when you knew Antoine could kill you.You’re incredibly brave and that counts as something, don’t ever think otherwise.”
Bailey didn’t know what to say.He twisted the blankets around his fingers.Chris made it sound so grand while he felt like trouble, more than usual.He couldn’t see what about him was going to do them any good.
“But if I had a mutation, if I could have done something…”
“Boy.”Bailey’s lips slapped shut the moment Chris spoke.He stared at the narrowed gaze Chris gave, then laughed when he said, “I will not hesitate to ground your ass if you utter another word.I don’t care if I’m not actually your father.One day, I’ll be your father-in-law, so I have the right to ground you.”
Bailey choked on his own saliva, proceeding to laugh controllably.Chris joined in.Their laughter gave him a sense of normalcy, one he desperately needed.The tension in the room dissipated, allowing a weight to be lifted from his chest.He wished he could remain in a good mood, but he still had questions that needed answers.
