Rebel Heart

"Did they pull the helo out of the river?" he asked. "Did they verify I was the only survivor?"

"You can ask in a little bit, after you eat."

"No. Now." The nurse raised an eyebrow but didn't jump at his sharp tone. He could guess her thoughts without hearing them: she was silently clucking at the army-type who thought he could boss around a fed.

"I'll bring you something to eat," she said instead and walked out.

Brady struggled to move his body. He was weaker than he remembered feeling in a long, long time. He shoved the sheets off and looked over his body. His right arm was bandaged with a fracture-snap, his left ankle as well. He touched his face and felt the scars running along the left side of his face, neck, and head. He was shaved bald. Irritated, he sat back on the bed. Even his DNA-enhanced body would need time to heal, just not as much time as a normal person.

But he had to know if they found her body. His heart leapt then sank as Lana's scream echoed in his thoughts again.

"Hey, champ." Tim's voice was a pleasant distraction. The politician managed to make even his casual wear appear distinguished as he stood in the doorway with sparkling blue eyes.

"How did I get here?" Brady asked.

"Dan called me. I sent in twenty helos and only one made it back."

"Lana?"

Tim's smile faded. He shook his head. Brady released his breath.

"Dan stayed behind where your helo went down to search. You were in critical condition. The docs put you in a coma for over a week in order to transplant half your organs. You'll be on your feet in no time."

"I hate organ transplants."

"You've got the innards of an eighteen-year-old. I plan on having the same transplant in about ten years."

"So she's gone." He felt worse than he expected. "I failed you."

"You kept her alive for quite a while," Tim said. "I'll always be grateful to you."

"They didn't find the Horsemen or her micro either?"

"Nothing."

Brady's gaze went to the window. There was no body, no micro, and no Horsemen. He couldn't imagine all would still be missing, unless she was alive somewhere. Hope trickled through him. She had to be alive.

"It might take me awhile to get used to the bald Brady," Tim said. "I've got work for you here, but I think-"