Page 16 of Ghost (Iron Thunder MC 4)
What would it feel like to not have to worry about my grandmother’s medical bills? I’d forgotten what life had been like before I started stripping at Teasers. I wouldn’t have to strip anymore! At least not for now.
I stared at Ghost’s strong wide back as he led me down the stairs. It was darker here but I could see him clearly. Nobody else seemed to be around and then finally, we were in the basement area. I could see a door at the end of the corridor and two guys from the MC standing guard. Clearly, this was where they were holding Crash.
Ghost stopped in his tracks abruptly.
“Are you ready for this?” he asked, peering into my eyes in the dimness of the corridor. He was whispering to me like we had a secret between us.
“Yes, I think so. Until I see him, I won’t be able to guarantee anything. Like I said, I’m not a fully qualified…”
“Yes, you have mentioned it,” he interrupted me and smiled lightly. His smile made me weak in the knees and I had to look away. “I think you’ll be fine.”
For some reason, this man believed in me. He had no idea who I was or what my capabilities were, and yet, hearing that made me feel more sure of myself. I had never nursed anyone or offered medical advice without supervision, and now I felt like I had been out of touch for a while.
Ghost started leading me to the door and the two guys moved to the side. He had a key.
I was nervous and I hoped he wouldn’t push me in on my own, I wanted him to be there with me. The fact was that he made me feel safe, even though I knew my safety was of no interest to him.I wasn’t expecting Crash to look the way he did. I mean, I knew it was bad. He was in withdrawal from heroin after all, but the image of the man I had in mind was very different from the man I now saw lying on his side on a narrow single bed in the corner of the cellar.
Ghost was right behind me and I turned to look at him over my shoulder before I had a chance to stop myself. He gave me a nod.
I took a few steps further toward Crash. He looked so much smaller and thinner than he had just yesterday. He was shivering and covered in sweat, wrapped in a thick blanket. There were uneaten plates of food and bottles of water lying by the foot of the bed. The room was warm and a fresh pile of clothes was by the bed too. Clearly, Crash wasn’t interest in any of it.
The truth was I had never dealt with an addict before, but there were some basic rules I could apply.
“Crash…I’m Mercy. You must remember me from Teasers,” I said. My voice was soft and like a hum. He didn’t move for several moments and then when he did, he simply looked over his shoulder, shuddering at the same time. I couldn’t tell if he actually saw me or not. His eyes seemed closed.
“He’s been unresponsive for a while. Even his sister isn’t being able to get him to talk,” Ghost said.
I went closer to him. I wasn’t sure of how he would react if I touched him but I needed to check his temperature.
“I’m here to help you feel better. Will you let me?” I asked. It was strange speaking to him like this. Just twenty-four hours ago, I would have kept my head down around him and not made eye contact. When he didn’t say anything, I went closer to his bed.
“There’s a first-aid kit under the bed, and let me know if you need any other supplies,” Ghost added.
“I’m going to have to take your temperature, Crash, is that okay?” I continued and still there was no response from him.
I knelt down by his bed and reached for the first-aid box. I pulled out a thermometer and proceeded to try and gently pull the blanket off him. He whipped around with eyes wide open like a wild animal’s. He even hissed like one and lunged at me.
“Calm the fuck down!” Ghost growled, jumping on him, and pushing him back onto the bed. I’d already sprung up and moved away. My heart thudded in my chest. I had no experience with addicts. I had no idea how I was supposed to behave around one.
Crash seemed to whimper and then turned away from us to face the wall again. Ghost straightened up and looked at me.
“Do what you have to do. I’ll be right here so he can’t hurt you.”
The muscles in my stomach tightened into a ball and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Why did he have to say it like that?
