Tuck Me In

Surgically altered to become the most beautiful being alive, Marrow is set apart from all human interaction. But Bel survives on scraps, hoping to ascend the intellectual ranks of society to free herself from poverty. When Marrow and Bel meet, the world begins to unravel. In the end, the only thing left may be their love. Or perhaps…nothing at all.

From Ep 20
“What are you…doing?” Marrow asked, still holding me close to him. His heartbeat was steady and even, though I was certain mine was still blaring.

I sniffled, the cloth of his shirt muffling my voice. “What do you mean, ‘what am I doing?’ You hugged me.”

“Forgive me, Bel, but I don’t know what that means.”

I pulled away, just enough to look up at him to see if maybe he was just playing the shitty comedian. But he seemed just as serious as always. I was beginning to think perhaps Marrow couldn’t tell a joke. Maybe he only ever told the truth, straight up, no chaser.

“You don’t know…what a hug is?” I asked. How could a human being make it this long without knowing what that means? Without giving or receiving one?

He shook his head, his long hair swaying around his shoulders.

Wonderful. Not only did I touch him, and without his permission, I have now molested him. I let all-the-way go, then, and stepped back. “ I am so, so, so sorry.” I slapped my hands to my cheeks. “I’m probably embarrassed enough to drop dead right now.”

“Please do not do that,” he said, moving toward me. “Please.”

I thought he would leave it at that, but he became visibly anxious, clenching and unclenching his fists, his breathing accelerating.

“Hey, hey. No,” I said. And I rubbed his arms. Because that’s how one person was supposed to calm another. “It was just a silly expression, Marrow. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not actually going to die.”

“People are removed because of me all the time.”

I blinked. “Oh.” I shook my head, trying to clear it. Trying to make it turn on. Like banging a tele set to make the picture come through. “I’m sorry. People die Here often as well. I guess I make it seem funny so it isn’t scary.”

“Explain the hug,” he said, changing the subject.

I grinned. “You put your arms around someone to show them you care about them. It helps them feel better.” I waggled my eyebrows. “Did you like it?”

With his chiseled face, in all his solemnity, he said, “It is the best thing that has happened to me so far.”

I blushed so hard. “A hug?”

“Hugging you.”

I choked, and my throat made a gurgling sound against my will. I smoothed rather sweaty hands on my jean shorts.

“Um…so…what are we going to do with you? You really, really can’t stay here. If Grits knew a Glimpse was walking around Dime Block, they would make a piñata out of you. And I don’t think you’re storing any candy in that torso, hombre.”

Marrow blinked. “What?”

“They’ll beat you with sticks until your insides come out. It’s a game kids play at parties.”

His eyes widened. He looked around as if the stick wielders were lurking behind junk piles. “And you live here? With the people who beat these children?”

“No, no, no.” I sighed, pulling my hair back up into its bun so my sweat didn’t glue it to my neck. “Okay, never mind that. The point is, we need to get you back home. Immediately.”

“I don’t want to go back, Bel.”

“I figure wherever home is probably sucks, Marrow, but this is not better. Trust me. This is crazy dangerous.”

He nodded. “I trust you. Of course I trust you.” Then he shrugged his perfect, broad shoulders. “I could walk back.”

“Did you not hear anything I said before?”

“Oh, right.” And then he grinned. “The piñatas.”

I chuckled. “That was funny.”

The grin turned to a smirk. “I thought so.”

“Well then,” I put my hands on my hips. “Road trip, Marrow. Time to steal a car.”