The Misfits

Elias

Elias woke up when the lights came on. Halley, it seemed, hadn’t moved all night, and was still laying on her stomach. Her top had ridden up some, exposing her lower back and Elias saw something dark on her side.

He put his hand on her back and slid her top up a few inches more, uncovering an oddly shaped bruise on her back and side.

She stirred a little at his touch and he rubbed her back as she woke up.

Halley rolled over towards him, pulling down her top as she did. She looked at him, and he thought she was scared.

“Too late,” he said, pulling her top back up. She didn’t try to stop him.

Elias could now see that the bruise wrapped around her side and was larger than he first thought. He touched it and she winced.

“You fibbed to me a second time,” he said.

“Once. Last night I shrugged, I didn’t say I was mad at you,” she said defensively.

“Actually twice. At the pool you said Roy and Ed were okay. Then you said you didn’t heal.

She looked away from him.

“I can’t have you raise your top any higher and I can’t make you pull your pants down, although I should and spank you, so pull your pant legs up. I thought it was funny you were wearing your shorts.”

“But, there are no more,” she said.

“Pull them up, show off your skinny legs.”

Halley stayed laying down and raised a leg, pulling the pant leg up as far as she could.

Elias looked it over, running his hand over it, not seeing anything.

“Next,” he said, pulling the pant leg back down her first leg.

She raised the other leg and Elias slid the pant leg back, looking over her leg. It too was clear, so he pulled the leg back and lowered her leg.

“I don’t have skinny legs,” she said, pouting.

“Chicken legs,” Elias said. “But don’t change the subject. You have one bruise. Who did you heal and why?”

“Roy. Something was wrong with a rib. It might have been broken. He probably didn’t notice it because he was trying to catch his breath from the hit and from being underwater.”

“So why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want you to get in trouble and I didn’t want to stop going to there,” she explained.

Elias laid back down next to her, pulling down her top, putting his head on her shoulder. “If Peg sees this, we’ll both be in big trouble,” he said. “I’m glad you helped Roy, but I don’t like that you were hurt. I wish there was a way to get rid of that bruise.”

She looked at him. “I’m not sorry. It was my choice. I wasn’t forced. But… there is a way, but I’d need someone’s help.

“Can you use me?”

“I – I don’t know. I don’t think so,” she said.

“Try.”

She took Elias’ hand and closed her eyes. If she was going to use her power, he expected it to fail.

His hand tingled, then he felt a twinge in his side.

Halley opened her eyes and said, “I think it worked,” and pulled up her top.

Elias looked down, touching her side softly.

She giggled and said, “That tickles.”

He could see where the bruise was. It was mostly gone, but traces of it were still there, but only if you knew there wasn’t a new bruise.

He pulled up his own top and saw a bruise on this own side that looked like the one she had. Tugging his top back down, he pulled Halley into him, putting his arms around her.

He moved his head, putting his lips up to her ear. “Thank you for not wanting me to get in trouble,” he whispered. “I’m going to assume that they don’t know you can do that, but don’t tell them. And let’s not tell them you were able to transfer that to me no matter what, because my power is supposed to stop that.”

She giggled, squirming in his arms.

“What?” he asked.

“You whispering in my ear is making me all tingly.”

“Fine,” he said, turning her head to kiss her cheek. “Get up. Peg should be here soon. Let’s get your shot done after you tinkle and brush,” he said, getting up. He waited until she was done, then followed her, letting her setup her injection while he finished.

“Where?” he asked.

“Arm,” she replied.

As he injected her, he said, “Oh, that reminds me. A little birdy told me you fibbed again when you told me you had to do this before you ate. Is that true?”

He wiped a spot of blood from the injection site, and she replied, “Well, yes and no. I should take it before, but I can take it after as well. Sorry I lied.”

He gave her a little hug and said, “You don’t have to lie to me. Ever. And I promise you I won’t lie to you, okay?”

“Okay,” she said.

They finished just as Peg came in with breakfast. She studied the two of them while setting things down. “Sleep well?” she asked.

“Yep,” Halley said cheerfully. Elias just smiled.

“Okay munchkin. After breakfast, back to your room. We have to give Elias some time to himself.”

“Fine,” she said dejectedly.

“Don’t be too sad. I’ll include you in the next group in the rec room – just in case. It’ll probably be day after tomorrow. Tomorrow Elias has an appointment to help someone out. Be ready after breakfast both days Elias, and Halley not tomorrow but the next day. Then maybe Elias will alternate days with his appointments and rec room and you guys can do movies every four or six days. We’ll see how it works out, but if nothing else, once a week. Will that work?”

Halley looked sad, but said, “Yes.”

“Good. Eat up and I’ll be back,” Peg told her.