Faye kept going.
“That’s Chace, I told you about him. Chace Keaton. He works at the Police Station. He’s a detective. He bought you your Swiss army knife and your sleeping bag and some of your food. Remember?”
Malachi didn’t move or speak.
Faye didn’t give up.
“Over there, that’s my Mom. Her name is Sondra Goodknight. She brought you some warm pajamas that they said when they move you out of here, you can wear.”
Malachi kept looking at Faye a second then his head turned on the pillow for a glance at Sondra before he looked back at Faye.
Sondra got up, got close to the bed, Malachi’s eyes moved back to her and she reached out two fingers to touch the blanket by his side but not him.
“Nice to meet you, Malachi,” she said gently. “Now, I’m going to go get the nurse. They need to know you’re awake. All right?”
Malachi didn’t answer. Sondra looked to Faye then to Chace then she moved slowly out of the room.
Chace took a step toward the bed but stopped when Malachi’s eyes shot to him and his body stiffened.
Faye noticed it too. She came up fully out of the chair but stayed bent to him.
“He’s okay, honey. Chace is a good guy. I promise. He’s a good guy.”
Chace forced his voice to very quiet when he said to the both of them. “I’m good right here. Malachi can tell me when he’s okay with me bein’ closer.”
Faye had turned her head his way and she nodded then she looked back at Malachi.
“See? Chace is a good guy, honey. You can trust him but he’s such a good guy, you can take your time doing that and he’ll be patient. Promise.”
The nurse came in and she was smiling at Malachi. “Well, look at you, awake and showing us your pretty, brown eyes.”
Malachi watched her warily as she approached his bed until Faye straightened and his eyes cut back to her in a way that made Chace’s body get tight.
“I called the doctor,” the nurse said. “She’ll be in soon and, I’m sorry but we’ll need room, Malachi will need privacy and visiting hours –”
“It’s okay,” Faye cut her off. “We’ll give you what you need.”
She leaned back down to Malachi, Chace braced and it happened when she told him, “I’ll be back tomorrow to read –”
His body knifed up, his bandaged hand darted out and batted at the book in her hand which fell to the mattress then he lunged toward her and rounded her neck with his arm with such force, he took her torso into him at the bed.
“Fuck,” Chace whispered, starting toward the bed but the nurse was on them and looking at Chace.
“Get another nurse.”
Chace turned instantly and moved to get the nurse, not wasting any time and when they rushed back, Faye was sitting on the bed, bent deep into Malachi, his arm still tight around her neck and she was murmuring to him.
The other nurse approached immediately.
“Maybe you can explain this attachment,” she whispered.
Chace didn’t delay. “She’s been feedin’ him and keepin’ him in books. They met five minutes ago for the first time but that doesn’t mean she’s not the only thing he’s got.”
“Right,” she whispered and moved toward Faye and Malachi.
Chace approached cautiously and was careful to stop where he’d stopped before, no closer.
“I’ll be back, buddy,” he heard Faye whisper. “Tomorrow. First thing. I promise.”