Sinners 01 - Branded by Abi Ketner, Missy Kalicicki Page B

gauze
     and tape.
    “Stop,” he says again. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
    I watch as he makes his way toward me. My lip starts to tremble and I shake my head
     frantically. “It’s not fair. She’s so young.”
    “I know,” he says.
    “We have to do something. We can’t just let her die.”
    “I’d give my life to save hers.” He puts his hands on my shoulders.
    “I thought the very same thing.”
    “Because you’re a good person. If you didn’t care about her, you wouldn’t feel this
     way. Believe me, I’ve tried everything I possibly could for her, but the virus is…
     too complex. It might take years before a cure is found, and obviously, she doesn’t
     even have weeks.”
    “I hate the virus.”
    “Me too.” He pulls me into his chest and wraps his arms around me like my father used
     to do. “Sweetheart, me too.”
    I can hear his heart beating. It’s strong with a consistent rhythm. I know good hearts
     are hard to find, so for the first time in a long time, I feel comfortable around
     a man. Maybe it’s because he could easily be my father, or maybe it’s because he treats
     me like a human being. Either way, I almost trust him.
    “What can I do?” I ask.
    “You know what I think?”
    “What?”
    “You should read to her. Not just any book, but a story where she can fly away and
     escape the world through her imagination.” He releases me from our embrace and steps
     back, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Come with me. I have a collection in my
     office… and don’t worry about the mess. I noticed some nurses sleeping on their shift
     earlier. I’ll send them to clean up and restock.” He laughs. “I hope you feel better
     now. I’d like to keep my office intact if you don’t mind.”
    “Yeah, I’m okay.”
    He leads me into his office and then opens the closet door. The heaps of boxes and
     random items overwhelm me.
    “How can you possibly find anything in this mess?” I ask.
    “What mess?”
    “Oh, dear heavens.”
    “Ha. I’m joking. I collect the belongings people leave behind and throw them in here.
     When you close the door, the mess is gone, so I don’t see anything wrong with it.
     As long as I can’t see it, I’m fine.” He winks at me mischievously.
    I nod my head and push past the shelves of bedclothes and sheets. Large boxes stacked
     on top of each other sit along the back wall. I pull down one box and cough as the
     dust particles float into my nose and mouth. My fingers slip off the edges, causing
     it to land on my right foot. Dang it. The top flops open, and I peer inside.
    Jewelry, magazines, and old CDs rattle around as I sift through them. A baby rattle
     makes me pause. These were someone’s prized possessions at one time, but I let the
     thought go as quickly as it arises, knowing I’m going to use them for a good purpose.
    The next box contains more of the same, and I let out a long sigh of exasperation.
     Alyssa’s probably wondering where I am, and I haven’t found anything to read her yet.
     Then I see the stack of books at the bottom. I delay my excitement until I lift them
     out. Their tattered bindings make them fragile, and their browned pages curl at the
     edges, but I found them!
    One by one, I read the titles and settle upon The Last Silk Dress by Ann Rinaldi. It’s the only one that seems appropriate for a thirteen-year-old,
     and the cover even has an elegant young woman on it.
    I put the rest of the belongings back in the boxes and stack them together. Then I
     skip-walk down the hall and back to her room with a huge smile on my face.
    “What are you all happy about?” she asks.
    “I got you something.” Proudly, I pull the book out from behind my back and place
     it on her lap. “It’s the only one I could find that was appropriate for your age.”
    “What? Are you kidding me? I’m dying and you’re worried about corrupting me?”
    I cock my head. “Do you want me to read it or not?”
    She nods