Mesmeris by K E Coles Page A

clenched his teeth, as another wave of pain crossed his face.
    ‘Who did this?’
    He shook his head.
    ‘Come to bed.’ I helped him to his feet. ‘We’ll get a doctor tomorrow – get some antibiotics – you’ll be fine.’ It took minutes for him to straighten up, longer to get into the bed.
    ‘You don’t know what I’ve done,’ he said.
    ‘It doesn’t matter.’ I covered him over, tucked him in like a child.
    He shivered. His teeth chattered. ‘It does matter. You have to get away.’
    ‘It’s okay.’ I wiped his brow again. The towel felt hot. He was burning up. I ran the towel under the tap again. As I tried to put it back on his forehead, he caught my hands.
    His scorched eyes stared up at me. ‘Listen - while I remember. The day they took me.’
    ‘It’s a nightmare, Jack, that’s all.’
    He spoke quickly, his voice urgent but low so that I had to lean close to hear him. ‘There was blood everywhere. Blood – everywhere.’
    I shook my head. ‘It’s a nightmare.
    He growled, crushed my wrists in his hands. ‘For fuck’s sake, will you listen to me? Just listen.’
    ‘You’re hurting me.’
    ‘Sorry.’ He let my hands go. ‘Sorry – but please.’ His voice cracked as if he was going to cry. ‘Please listen.’
    I nodded, rubbed the blood back into my hands.
    He looked completely insane, staring up at me from the pillow. ‘My father, they . . .’ He covered his face with his hands, made a weird choking sound.
    I remembered Lydia having night terrors when she was small, Mum saying it was best to play along, not to distress her even more. I stroked Jack’s head. ‘It’s okay, Jack. It’s all over now.’
    He sobbed, then moved his hands and looked up at me, suddenly sane and lucid. ‘If you don’t go, they’ll take you too.’
    An icy draught blew over my skin. I felt it move over my head, travel down my body to my fingers and toes. I climbed into bed and lay down next to him, grateful for the warmth of his overheated body. ‘It’s all right, Jack,’ I said. ‘They’re not real.’
    He stared at me, huge eyes, massive pupils. I pulled his head onto my chest, smoothed his hair back and gradually, his breathing quietened.
    ‘They are real,’ he said, softly. ‘They are. They’re coming for you - and I can’t stop them.’

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
    It was daylight when I woke and his head still lay on my chest. My jumper felt damp, from tears or sweat.
    His eyes opened. The feverish shine had gone.
    I smiled. ‘Are you okay now?’ His forehead felt cool, normal. ‘You were delirious,’ I said, ‘talking all kinds of rubbish.’
    ‘Didn’t hurt you, did I?’
    ‘No. I nearly called my mum, though. Then I thought me - bedroom - naked man – maybe not.’
    ‘Things I’ll do to impress a girl,’ he said.
    ‘You don’t need to impress me,’ I said. ‘I love you.’ I felt the blood rush to my face.
    He stared. ‘Really?’
    I stared back.
Did I? Did I love him?
I nodded.
    ‘No one’s ever loved me before.’
    ‘Well, your parents must have, and what about your brothers?’
    A hollow laugh. ‘My brothers? You’re joking. Anyway, they’re not really my brothers.’
    ‘Well, your parents then.’
    ‘No,’ he said, flatly.
    ‘What about when you were young?’
    ‘I don’t remember. They said I blocked it out – the cruelty.’
    ‘But you don’t remember that, do you?’
    ‘No. Told you – blocked it out.’
    I sat up. ‘But you do remember them taking you?’
    He stared at me for a moment. ‘No.’ His tone told me to leave it.
    I jumped out of bed and pulled the curtains open. A few more plastic hooks fell to the floor. ‘Let’s go for coffee. Then we’ll find a hospital.’ Sunshine streamed in. ‘It’s a lovely day – look.’
    He didn’t move.
    ‘I’ll have a shower and then we’ll go out, okay?’
    He didn’t reply and when I came back from the bathroom, he was still in exactly the same position. I sat on the edge of the bed, looked at