Page 134 of Monstrous Serpent

“He didn’t mean it.” I barely get the words out, tears flowing from my eyes uncontrollably. “He didn’t—he caught an edge—he didn’t—”

I have to stop Hunter. Have to get to Atlas. He needs me. They both do.

But I can’t move. I can’t fucking move.

Chapter 33

Hunter

Six hours.

Six hours since the ambulance pulled away with Cody, and I still don’t know if he’s okay. His parents haven’t updated us either.

My fingers sink into the back of my neck, nails scratching the skin as I continue to walk over the same stretch of hospital tile. Wall to vending machine. Vending machine to the corner. Corner to the double doors with the restricted access sign.

Over and over.

Reyes steps in front of me and grips my shoulder. “Go sit.”

I jerk away. “Don't fucking touch me.”

“Don't try me, pendejo. Swing at me, and you’ll end up in a room here too.”

I’m about to step around him when Davis rounds the corner, drink in hand. Reyes looks over his shoulder, grunts, then steps aside. But not before shooting me a warning look.

My upper lip twitches. I’m about two seconds away from putting him through the goddamn wall because I will never hurt a child.

Ever.

Especially not Cody’s little brother.

Davis comes to a dead stop, his gaze moving from Reyes to me. The color drains from his face, eyes widening as his fingers tighten on the paper cup he’s holding.

I nod at him. “Hey.”

Tears streak down his cheeks, and his chest starts hitching, each breath faster, harder. He doesn’t answer, doesn’t curse me out. Just throws his drink at me before running off in the opposite direction. The cup hits me in the chest, pop and ice splashing on me, then onto the floor.

God-fucking-dammit.

I take a deep breath and start to go after him, but Mrs. Jenkins holds up a hand, stopping me. Her eyes are red-rimmed and wet, and she looks at me with something worse than anger.

Disappointment.

She shakes her head once, then turns and walks after her youngest son.

My fingers clench, unclench, then clench again. They never should have seen me like that. My back hits the wall, and I sink to the floor, nails digging into my scalp.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

The hit. The bang on the boards. The way Cody dropped. I can’t stop seeing it.

I knew it was bad, hopped the boards, and skated over before the ref even blew the whistle. Bile burned the back of my throat the closer I got. And when Cody said he couldn’t feel his legs, I fucking snapped.

Don’t remember pulling Atlas away or those first few hits. It wasn’t until Shaw punched me that I realized my hands were around my best friend’s throat, and his face was a reddish purple. Except I slammed him into the boards right after letting go of his throat, then threw a few more punches. Coach Reed, Reyes, and others had to pin me to the ice to stop.

“The fuck did I do?” My voice cracks, and I start clawing at my scalp again.

Reyes sighs. “He’s not at the dorm. Hasn’t reached out to anyone either. Rua was the last to see him. Said he stripped out of his gear, then took off.”