Gavin and Jemmy came back into the room carrying two trays of hospital food. I saw bananas, oatmeal, cereal, rice, carrot sticks, and other like items.
Chip went to eagerly reach for the food as Gavin gently pushed it back. “How about a shower first kiddo,” he suggested gently.
Chip bristled at him. “I’m hungry,” he said mutinously.
I gently ruffled his hair, not caring I was probably dirty now too. “Go on, Chip,” I told him gently. Thankful I didn’t have to use my gift once more. I was exhausted. “You don’t want to get sick. The sooner you shower, the sooner you can eat.”
He sighed but got up to follow Gavin into the bathroom.
“You should eat, too,” Gavin said firmly as he looked at me.
I shook my head and wiped my tears away. “I’m good. I just ate that sandwich you left me a little while ago.”
“All of it?” he lifted an eyebrow at me as if he already knew my answer.
It was my turn to sigh. “I’ll eat when my new friend comes back,” I conceded.
Chip turned and flashed me a smile. Even below all that dirt he was a handsome little boy when he smiled.
“I set up my phone to receive any messages Collin was receiving,” Gavin explained quietly. “There was a real cryptic message he received tonight, and I had to tell someone,” he said, slightly apologetic. “I was already at the Bell’s house and I knew I had to tell him.”
I nodded. “I understand.”
Ella was stable for now. She was sleeping peacefully in a bed beside me. Chip was squeaky clean and was full after eating half a bowl of oatmeal and a banana. The other healer had hooked him up to a fluid bag before helping him settle down in the bed on the other side of me. I didn’t want to leave the room just yet, and everyone knew that.
Noah had left to give care to the other recovered children. That left Gavin, Jemmy, Will, and Troy.
“He saved those kids’ lives,” Jemmy said adoringly as she grasped Gavin’s hands and smiled up at him. “They were going to be moved down south, and who knows where, next.”
Gavin blushed, which almost made me giggle. I was longing to fall asleep once more, but I knew this conversation was important.
“It seems like we have a mutual friend,” Will said finally. He had been quiet for most of the night. “Judge Myers.”
I nodded and pulled my blankets up further, cautiously looking over at Troy. I didn’t know how much he knew at this point. “Before all this happened,” I explained. “You made me remember his number, so I could find him, ask him for his help.”
At Troy’s confused expression, I knew he didn’t have a clue about our earlier conversations.
“Someone’s been messing with our lives. Someone turned back time and made you guys forget about me,” I yawned, continuing to fight sleep.
At Jemmy and Troy’s gasp, I knew they found my story to be farfetched.
“Why would I give you his number?” Will didn’t seem terribly shocked, and I had a feeling he couldn’t deny the facts much longer.
“Ella,” I continued to explain. “My sister—or as you know her, my cousin—had a premonition that we would be here. Before this all happened, you became my temporary guardian. My sister was going to be under my guardianship once I turned eighteen.”
Will nodded. “Tonight, my team saw you create a force field as well as show signs of using the empath gift. Is this true?”
I sat up startled, adrenaline coursing through me. I slapped my forehead. “I wasn’t thinking.” I looked warily over at Troy. “You warned me before about using my additional gifts in front of others. You didn’t want anyone else to know what I was capable of. You felt like this would put us in danger. You were right to suspect that there were people here in Horatio’s back pocket. I know Zach Young is, and Collin Scott.”
“But Collin’s your boyfriend, isn’t he?” Jemmy asked in confusion. “None of this makes sense. Are you saying you use to live with us? Pops hasn’t brought anyone into the house since my brother and I came years ago. Why would people be after you? After us?”
I sighed. “I did live with you guys. I know this is hard to believe, but it’s true. Collin’s not really my boyfriend. I knew things were off when I woke up a few weeks ago. I hadn’t seen Collin since high school, accept for,” I paused and gasped. “Tonight! At Jax’s party. I caught Rose and Collin hooking up in the pool house.”
Troy let out a skeptical laugh. “Rose and Drake are the strongest couple I know. They’ve been together forever. When we left earlier they were in the hot tub, with each other.”
I shook my head. “It’s all a ruse. At least, on her part. She loves him, but not enough to stop her side gig with Collin. Ask Remy,” I gave him a dead pan expression. “A few months ago, she tried to proposition him,” I bit my lip, trying to find the right words, to continue. Do I tell them about the possible pregnancy now, or do I bide my time? This was a lot to drop on them all at once.
Troy and Jemmy both reacted in shock. “This is crazy,” Troy stood up and left the room pulling out his cell phone as he went.