Helios rubbed his face on Isaac’s hand, clearly unconcerned about blood in his fluff. He trotted off toward the bathroom, then looked back, just like the day they’d met, expectantly waiting for Isaac to follow. Summer smiled. “He’s waiting for you. Come on, chere. You’ll feel better after, I promise.”
Smiling a watery smile, Isaac nodded absently and continued to pet the cat, before hauling himself upright onto shaking legs, gazing around the room helplessly as if that alone would give him the answers he desperately sought. “Need to get clean…”
She put her shoulder under his arm. “Come on,” she coaxed. Helios came back and twined around his legs, curling his tail like that would pull Isaac along. Step by step they moved toward the bathroom, and she turned on the water. “I’m right here, okay? You need to take your clothes off now.”