Sanctuary Found (Pelican Bay 2)

“No, it’ll be over soon,” Isaac said. His voice was still calm, but I could hear a line of fear in it. Even if he’d witnessed an episode like this before, it had to have been scary as hell each time.

I knew I was scared shitless.

And felt so fucking helpless. Newt’s little body felt so frail beneath my hands, but his limbs just kept jerking. He was making grunting sounds too.

It was a good minute before his moves began to slow. It was only when his body began to tick rather than jerk that Isaac lifted Newt onto his lap and cuddled him against his chest. I grabbed Dallas’s coat and tucked it against Newt’s body as best I could. Then I stripped my own parka off and draped it over Isaac’s shoulders.

“Newt,” Isaac said softly just after Newt’s eyes rolled shut. I saw Newt’s fisted hands relax and then lift so they were pressed close to his chest. He let out a soft little cry and tucked his head under Isaac’s chin.

“It’s okay, buddy,” Isaac said. “It’s over.”

“Is he in pain?” Nolan asked.

Isaac shook his head. “No, he’s just confused. He doesn’t remember the actual episode, but when he comes out of it, he doesn’t know where he is or what’s happened. He just needs a minute.”

“Here,” I said as I reached for Isaac’s elbow. “Let’s get you up.”

Sawyer supported Isaac’s other arm while we helped Isaac climb to his feet.

“Isaac?” Newt whispered, his voice thick and hoarse with tears.

“I’m here, Newt,” Isaac said as he gave Newt a gentle squeeze. “Everything’s okay. You’re safe.”

Newt nodded but didn’t say anything else.

“Let’s get him inside,” Nolan said. “Can you carry him?”

Isaac nodded. We all ended up making a little cocoon around Isaac as he walked. I kept my arm around him to make sure if he stumbled, he wouldn’t fall. Nolan and Dallas were leading the way to the house, Loki was practically glued to Isaac’s other side, and Sawyer was right behind us.

“I need to get him warm,” Isaac said as we reached the house. He looked at Nolan. “Can you get a bath ready, but make sure the water isn’t too hot?”

“Of course,” Nolan said as he hurried to do Isaac’s bidding.

“I’m going to go run and get my medical bag,” Sawyer said. “I just want to take a listen to his lungs.”

“Is there something to be worried about?” I asked.

“No,” Sawyer quickly said. “Just a precaution.”

“Thanks,” Isaac nodded. To Dallas he said, “There’s a thermometer and some children’s aspirin in my bag in our room. Would you get that for me? Also his pajamas? He’s going to need to rest once I get him warmed up.”

Dallas nodded and hurried upstairs. Isaac and I followed.

“Do you want me to carry him up the stairs?” I asked.

“No, I’m okay,” Isaac said. He sounded much more tired than he had a moment earlier, likely because his adrenaline was starting to crash. “Just, um, can you keep your arm around me?” he asked. “So I don’t fall.”

I didn’t bother to tell him that had been my plan all along. Isaac felt so slight against my body that I found myself tucking him up against my side in the hopes of offering him even more support. When we got to the bathroom, Nolan had the bathtub already filled. It wasn’t a big space, so he stepped out of the way. Dallas appeared and handed me the items Isaac had asked for.

“Do you need anything else?” Nolan asked. “How about we heat up some soup?”

“He won’t eat for a bit,” Isaac said.

“Okay, how about some hot chocolate?”

Nolan clearly was rattled because his voice was shaking, and I guessed that Isaac responded with, “Sure, that would be great” more to give Nolan something to do than anything else.

After Nolan and Dallas left the bathroom, Isaac said to me, “We’re okay. You can go too.”

I heard one thing but saw another. And even if I hadn’t, I wasn’t going anywhere. As calm as Isaac was, I could see his hands were shaking and there was a tremor running through his body. This might not have been the first time he’d had to deal with this kind of episode, but fuck if he was going to deal with it alone.

“Tell me what you need me to do,” was all I said.

Fortunately, he didn’t argue with me. He hesitated, then nodded. “Can you hold him while I get him undressed?”

I carefully took Newt from Isaac. The little boy didn’t even seem to notice the transfer because he was practically asleep. My eyes fell on a couple of abrasions on Isaac’s cheek and temple, but I didn’t ask him about it.

Now wasn’t the time.

I held Newt as Isaac quickly worked his clothes off him. It was a little awkward maneuvering him around, but Newt slept through it. Sawyer appeared.