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McBrid hurt. Every breath sent pain shooting through his body. His eyes fluttered open. Even that hurt. He was on the floor, the bright lights of the lab glaring down at him.
“Louis.” His voice was like sandpaper on skin.
“You’re awake.” Charlie crouched by him. “Drink this.” The Guard helped him to sit up and handed him a glass.
“Louis.” They’d both been in the cage. The Brush-Men.
“He’s fine.”
“Fine? I wouldn’t say that.” Louis walked over to them. His clothes were torn beyond repair and splattered with blood.
“You’re alive.”
“I am that. Thanks to you and Charlie.” Louis grinned at his brother.
“Wh-what happened?” He took the glass and drank. The liquid like salvation to his dry throat.
“Charlie saved us. Gassed them all.” Louis’ smile grew even wider. “Us too, but that’s okay. I’ll take a little gas over death any day.”
“Gas.” That explained the headache and the dry mouth. “Smart.”
“Thanks. It was Glassick’s idea.” Charlie glanced at the Brush-Man on his shoulder.
“Really? And how did he manage to turn the gas on with his little hands?” Louis’ pride had been replaced by disgust.
“I did that, but he told me to.” Charlie frowned. “Well, not exactly told me, but he kept chirping and tugging on my ear and he pointed to the button. Didn’t you?”
Glassick stuck both hands up in the air.
“Come on. You pointed at the lever that turns on the gas. You saved them.” Charlie’s eyes darted to his brother. “Both of them.”
Glassick put up his left hand.
“Seems the little guy isn’t one for taking credit he doesn’t deserve.” Louis bent, peering at the Brush-Man. “Takes a strong Guar...Almi...creature to do that.”
Glassick’s chest puffed out.
“You did good.” Louis slapped Charlie’s back. “Thank you. I owe you my life. Again.”
McBrid stood. “Yes, thank you. We both owe you again, Charlie. That was quick thinking and brave.” His eyes locked with the young Guard’s. “Very brave to go inside the enclosure and drag us out.”
Charlie shrugged. “Had no choice.”
“But you did. You could’ve done nothing and we both would’ve died.”
“Yeah. I guess.” Charlie’s face was red. The kid was uncomfortable with compliments but he deserved them.
“Thank you, again.” He turned to Louis. “Did the sample in your pocket survive?”
“Yeah. I put it on the table by the bag.”
“The bag? You went back for the bag?” He turned toward the young Guard. “That was more than brave.”
“Couldn’t leave it in there,” said Charlie. “You need it to make Glassick better.”