Chapter Thirty One
"Long time no see, bro." Tray glared at Ryan, his hands pecking scrupulously at the hospital bed. Tray looked from Ryan, to Seth and finally when he saw Marissa he grinned vilely. Marissa glanced away painfully.
"Never call me bro again." Ryan replied coldly, as he examined his brother's beaten body lying weakly on the white, thick bed. Ryan turned to leave, but Seth grasped his shoulder.
"Talk." Seth whispered firmly, which made Ryan stay. Ryan looked around the room, pacing around casually as he stared at the room's contents. He stared at a vase that held plastic, ornamental flowers in it. He watched the random paintings enveloping the walls, as he traced the frame with his eyes.
"Ryan, what's the matter?" Tray said coolly, as if he remembered nothing. But he really did, and he couldn't wait to brag that he was a murder survivor. He watched Ryan fiercely- if looks could kill, Ryan would be drenched in blood in the floor. Ryan only returned this lethal glare, and continued.
"You're worthless to me, Tray. I really hope you die once you leave this hospital wing, whether it's by a suspicious, accidental death, or my bare hands- I hope you f ucking go to hell and rot there." Ryan said in a calm, yet anger-filled voice. Tray was shivering internally, but outside he was only grinning, and this made Marissa wince. How could Tray be so freaking emotionless, Marissa thought silently deep in her mind- however she was afraid to think, for the fright that Tray would know it.
"You're always going to be my brother, Ryan. You can't live it away. You can't forget me, and you can't try to forget me either, 'cause I'll keep coming back to show you the damage I can produce in your life." Tray said viciously as he quietly thought about how amazingly hot Marissa looked as she nervously tried to keep her eyes off him. "Marissa, you're looking hot tonight." Tray thought out loud, receiving a death threat glare from Ryan, "Cool down, 'bro'. Someone's gotta give her the love." Ryan tried to soothe himself, as he tapped his foot against the floor.
"I hate you." Ryan said after a moment that had passed in thorough silence.
"Aww, muffin. I'm guessing you're going to have to do better then that pumpkin, to hurt me." Tray said, but Ryan couldn't stand to look in his brother's eyes any longer. He turned to leave the room, and he grabbed Marissa's hand, intertwining his fingers with her's. "Where you going bro? Where you going with the damsel in distress? You haven't beaten the villain yet!"
Ryan figured Tray was on a high dose of pain killers. He walked away swiftly, hating Seth for the moment, as he dragged them into the hospital anyways. Ryan and Marissa walked away toward the exit of the door, and heard only faint, and guilty steps behind them- Seth. Once the evening breeze swallowed them whole, Ryan could feel Marissa shivering. He pulled her close, as he kissed her forehead awaiting Seth's arrival so he could tell him a word or two on what he thought of the topic. Marissa cuddled in close to Ryan, so she could steal some of his courage. She admired him for not taking a swing at Tray despite the intolerable things he was saying. Seth finally emerged out of the hospital, as he glanced over to the parking lot, where Marissa and Ryan stood in front of the couch. He walked toward the car, slouched over, hoping that the two would ignore him, possibly silently forgive him. Ryan and Marissa climbed into the back seat. Ryan comfortably put his arm around Marissa, as she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"This has got to be the stupidest idea you have ever had, Seth." Ryan said briskly, and Ryan slouched further. They drove home wordlessly.