Elise settled back into her chair as she heard the three heading to the elevators. She picked up one of Brodi's books from Seeiah's duffel. She read aloud, partially because she was just used to it at this point out of a need for Brodi to know he wasn't alone, and partially because she was desperate to stay awake.
It didn't really help. About five minutes into her reading, she felt herself starting to drift off. The book fell into her lap and she was just getting to the floaty feeling before sleep when she heard the door opening.
"OK, Nate," she said without turning around, "you better have forgotten something, because I told you I'm not…"
Her words were cut short by a hand jerking her out of the chair and slamming her against a wall by her throat. When she overcame the shock, she saw Psymon's face leering up at her.
"Hi, Bombshell. Kill anyone lately?"
Elise grabbed at Psymon's wrists in a panic, but thanks to his dead nerve endings it did no good. She moved to Plan B, trying to claw her fingers under his to break his iron hold.
"Psy—Psymon. What the…hell…are you…doing?"
"He trusts you with his life, and you shut it down?"
"Psymon. Let…let go."
She finally managed a kick that surprised him enough to drop her. She collapsed on the floor, gasping for breath.
"I never figured you for this. Everyone has heard that you signed the papers."
Elise wheezed a couple more times, then pulled herself up by the back of the chair that somehow had not been knocked over.
"What the HELL are you talking about? Get your story straight before you attack next time, Sketchy. Look at Brodi. Does he LOOK dead to you?"
"No. Not yet. Death by starvation takes a while, bitch."
Elise bristled. "You are SO going to regret that comment."
Psymon took another step towards Elise when he froze.
"Guys." It was hoarse, raspy, barely audible, but they both heard it that time.
Elise nearly mowed Psymon down getting to Brodi.
"Brodi? Oh my God, sweetie…"
Elise took Brodi's hand and leaned down to kiss him. Then she rested her forehead on his and gently placed a hand on his temple.
"Don't try to talk, honey. You were intubated for a while, and it just came out today, so your throat is still healing. Besides, you need to save your strength. What, baby?"
She lifted her head up, a shocked look on her face. She nodded to Psymon, who had moved to the other side of the bed. "He wants to talk to you."
Psymon bent low over Brodi, then let out a howl of laughter. "You know something, Zen, I'm feeling like you've been through enough I just might let you do it when you're back on your feet. Although I have to say it's not very Zen-like."
"What? What did he say?"
"He's going to kick my ass if I ever touch you again."
Elise couldn't help but smirk. "Now, children."
As the words left her mouth, she remembered Brodi's mother. She grabbed her phone.
"Nate? Get that pizza to go. No, no. Everything's fine. Just…trust me. Get back over here."
Her next action was to send a global message saying, "Zen's awake."—but Psymon stopped her.
"Already done, while you were on the phone."
Elise sat on the bed and took Brodi's hand. "God is it good to see those blue eyes open again. You scared us to death, sweetie."
"Wh…why? I don't under…"
"Bombshell was right when she told you not to talk, Zen. Those tubes are a bitch if they've been in a while."
"Shhh…just rest, baby. You've been out of circulation for almost a month. Besides, we don't want you passing out from exhaustion before someone else gets to see you."
"Month?"
Elise was about to shush him again when she heard the door open.
"Brodi? Hot damn, kid, it's about time you woke up." Nate stuck his head back out the door and motioned for Brodi's parents to follow.
Elise squeezed Brodi's hand. "Honey, we've brought someone here who really wants to see you."
Before Elise had a chance to move, Trish started singing to her son as she approached. Brodi's eyes opened wide in shock.
Elise backed up to where Nate was standing so she could give Brodi's parents room.
"Wanted to check out the sitch before bringing them in," Nate whispered. "Has a doctor seen him yet?"
"Uhm, no. I've got a creepy feeling about his doctor. I wanted to check with your friend first to see who we can trust."
"OK, I'll get on it. Someone should take a look at him fairly quickly."
Nate slipped out into the hall, already punching numbers in his phone.
Elise took a last glance at Brodi and his parents. His mother had pulled him upright and was hugging him profusely; his father alternating between hugging them both and admonishing his wife to be gentle.
"Psymon, let's go and give them…"
When Elise turned around, Psymon was nowhere to be found in the room. She shrugged, realizing she was talking to herself, and left quietly.
