Consequences

Part 5 of 9

Devlin stood outside the infirmary door, hesitating. He knew the psychologist had left a while ago, so this was a good time for his surprise. His arms were laden with old 2D video game consoles, controllers, and games. He figured in their current states Ken and Gwen would be a) bored out of their minds and b) unable to use the simulator games, so these would be useful.

But he still had a hard time going in. He took a deep breath and shoved the door open with his shoulder.

"Hey dude, what's up?" Ken called out from where he sat on his bed. Gwen looked up from the doll whose hair she was combing and smiled.

"Yo, que pasa?" Devlin forced a smile onto his face. "I brought supplies."

"Really? What'd ya bring us?"

"I found this stuff in storage. It's a bunch of old video games; stuff you just play on a tv, so you can still do it when you're stuck in this room."

"Video games! Shwey!" Devlin dumped the mess on the bed and Ken started digging through it. Gwen turned as much as she could and craned her neck to get a better look. Devlin took the opportunity to really study them for the first time since they got back. Ken's stitches stuck out against the shaved portion of his hair. Bruises marked the right side of his face. He could see them on his shoulder, arm, and legs, where the pajamas had shifted. They were a disgusting mix of yellow, purple, black, and blue. He knew from talk around the complex they completely covered the younger boy's back.

Gwen's left arm was far worse. From her shoulder to her forearm was encased in a metal frame. The pieces had been surgically screwed into the arm to hold it in place while leaving the skin exposed. The reason for that was that her skin was burnt; it was a patchy mess of yellowish-blisters, red scabbing, and bright pink skin. A towel was wrapped loosely around part of the apparatus to protect the area from stray bumps. It was partially propped on a tower of pillows and Gwen had an IV drip to help with the pain.

Devlin felt his guilt intensify. "Sorry Gwenie, I didn't think about how hard it'd be to play like that, with one hand…" She shrugged her good shoulder.

"We'll just have to go easy on her. This time. 'Sides, she's a tough little kid; she'll handle it." Gwen beamed at Ken's praise. Devlin idly wondered when they had started getting along.

"Multiplayer, multiplayer…" Ken muttered, digging through. "Needs to be multiplayer… ok, how about this one?" He pulled out Super Smash Brothers Hyperactive. The boys found the console. "How is this supposed to hook up to the TV? This tech is ancient."

Devlin shrugged.

"Ok, we'll just call Jay down in Tech; he'll figure it out."

An hour, 3 techs, and a bit of electrical tape later, Ken stood, hands on hips, proud of their accomplishment. He tossed a controller to his sister, then plopped down on his own bed, ready to play. "Come on, Dev, let's play!"

Devlin's anxiety had only grown during the set-up. He needed to get out, quick. "Uh, no, actually guys, I gotta go. I got some, uh, homework to do."

Ken looked at him with disbelief. "Homework? Dude, video games trump homework every time! You gotta stay and play!"

"No, I really gotta finish it." He shifted his feet, moving towards the door. "You guys have fun, I'll see you later."

"But-"

Devlin was out the door and down the hall before Ken could finish the thought. He was back in his room before he slowed down again. He shoved the door closed, slumping against it and releasing a breath. His chest hurt.

He didn't know how to deal with the feelings raging inside of him. It's my fault they're hurt, he thought. Dad went after Ken and Gwen because of me. If I just stayed away, they'd have been safe. It's all my fault. He buried his face in his hands, overwhelmed. It was my fault Dad attacked Ken and Ben the last time, it's my fault he's after them again this time.

Guilt wasn't something Levins, even former Levins, dealt with well. They usually just turned it around and used it to fuel their rage; Kevin always had. But Devlin was young and still had the ability to change, and more importantly, wasn't as far gone. He still had a grip on his humanity.

That humanity was rearing itself with a vengeance. The guilt was overpowering him, and he could only see one way to solve his problem.

He had to protect his new family. Especially from his old one.

Author's Note:

Brownie points to the first person to tell me where the word "shwey" comes from. :)