Henry sat down heavily on the edge of the small, squeaky bed.
His breathing was rough, and his shirt was sticking to his back from sweat and blood.
He had bruises peeking from under his collar and a deep cut on his arm that had opened again. But he didn't care.
"Lucy," he grunted, waving his hand like a king giving orders. "Bring me some water."
Lucy, still grinning, walked toward the tiny kitchen corner and grabbed a cup.
She filled it with water from the old plastic jug and brought it over.
Henry took it, gulped down half, and then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
He looked over at Adeline, who was lying on the floor with blood at the corner of her lips, one eye swollen, arms wrapped tightly around her ribs.
"So," Henry said slowly, swirling the water in his cup. "Tell me… who's backing you up?"
Adeline didn't answer right away. She looked at him, breathing hard, her chest rising and falling.
