I receive a silent nod from Ang as I sit at the head of the bed. I lower the stool so my arms restfortably on the bed. I ce one arm on the belt sto


    of his head. He immediately turns his head away, his whimpers bing louder as if the movement hurt him, something I hadn’t noticed before. He’s thrashing his head from one side to the other, his confusion and panic building.


    “Easy there Cole. It seems this thrashing is causing you quite a bit of pain.”


    I whisper as I slide my right hand under his neck. Ile freezes immediately upon feeling me, his body and breathing bing stiff


    “I’m sorry, please don’t hurt me.”


    He gasps as if he was holding his breath.


    “I know submission holds have been painful and abused in your past. As hard as it is to do, I need you to concentrate on me in the right now. I’m not going to hurt you.”


    “Please stop telling me that. It’s only a matter of time before I mess up and youy into me like you did Das and Richard.”


    “You heard about that?”


    “Jamie told me.” His voice is hushed as hees down from his panic.


    “I was hoping that talking with you might help take your mind off the numbing process.”


    I duck my head down beside his ear now that he’s finally still. Ang has made her way around to his right side and is shaking the can of frost we use to help numb an area getting multiple shots.


    “Stay still Cole. This stuff is very cold and it’s important that you don’t breathe it in.”


    Ang uses her hand against his face to gently shield him from the fumes as she sprays down his neck. He yelps softly as I hear her spray again.


    “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you. You should only feel pressure from this first shot in your arm. This is toradol. It’s going to help reduce inmmation so you’re not in so much pain.”


    His breathing is stiff but deeper and more even now. It seems that he’s managed to calm down but I’m not certain how long it willst.


    “These next shots are the rough ones. The frost will eliminate the pinch but not the sting. You’ve had the lidocaine before so you know that it builds. It’s important that you be still. This is a very sensitive area with it being at the base of your neck.”


    I adjust my hold so he can’t move his head as Ang starts on the shots. He’s wincing badly and holding his breath with each shot he receives but he’s not fighting my hold on him.


    “You’re doing great Cole. I want you to try talking to me. Ask me anything you want to know. We’re going to take turns. You ask first and I’ll answer with absolute honesty. Then it’s my turn to ask and you answer. Now you go?”


    “What happened to Das, Richard and Andrew?”


    His breathing is tight between words telling me he’s holding his breath with every shot he receives.


    “Breath Cole. Nice and slow. How much was Jamison able to tell you today?”


    “I thought I was asking the question?”


    “Yes sir, you are but knowing what you’ve been told will allow me to confirm or correct what happened. At least what I’ve seen of it.”


    “He said he got jumped by the three of them when he came out of his room to grab the case of water left by his door. He was able to fight all three of them


    until one of them….”


    “Breath Cole.”


    1 soothe as I run my fingers lightly beneath his jawline. Ite extches his breath lefty fetare ralling analy