Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 124341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
He let out a confused grunt but remained where he was, raising his chin minutely and taking in a small inhale with his nose. “You’re better,” he said, his voice raspy.
Her eyes widened, and so did his, his gaze flicking toward her mouth and then away.
He speaks. Had she thought he didn’t? Well, yes…because she’d thought him nothing but a dream. But he was no dream. She was sure of it now. She could see him, feel him, smell his nighttime-scented skin. He could smother her beneath him if he wanted. But she didn’t think he wanted to do that because…well, he wasn’t doing that.
“You protected me last time,” she said. “From what? You could have hurt me, and you didn’t.”
Her words seemed to pull him from some hypnotic state, and he shivered slightly, pushing up off her. “Them,” he murmured. “The others.”
She sat up, looking at the silvery hair held between her fingers. “Others? Who are you?”
He was turned halfway away, looking into the woods. She twisted the hair around her index finger and then stuck it under her tongue, the only place she could think to hide it if in fact someone was cleaning her, redressing her, and returning her to her bed as she suspected they were.
A loud scream pierced the still night, and she jerked in the direction from which it came, opening her mouth to ask if he knew what was happening, when she saw a blur between the trees, moving swiftly toward her.
She leaped to her feet, stretching her arms out defensively as the human shape barreled forward. She heard a growl and a yell. She thought she screamed before the impact. Before all went dark.
***
Autumn woke in her bed, the “dream” rushing back. She blinked, swallowed, tried to organize her thoughts as she sat up.
The door opened, and a humming Genie walked in. “Good morning. You slept in.”
Autumn glanced at the clock. Nine a.m. She never slept that late. Of course, her aching body had always woken her before, not just in the morning but all through the night. She tested her limbs. Slightly achy, but in the same way they were after she’d run the stairs.
“Good thing it’s Saturday,” Genie said, smiling and handing her the first cup of medication.
Autumn glanced down. She was in her blue-and-pink-striped nightgown, the same one she’d gone to sleep in. And she still wore the thick, white socks with treads on the bottom that kept her perpetually cold feet warm. She tilted her head and sniffed. Her nightgown smelled like laundry detergent, and she could detect the clean scent of soap on her skin. It was amazing how much sharper all her senses were since she’d stopped taking the pills.
She turned her hand over, peering at her fingernails. No dirt. Not a speck. They hadn’t missed any this time. Who are they? She worked to keep the suspicion from her gaze as she looked at Genie, turning her thoughts away from the onslaught of questions attempting to invade her mind. For now. Just for now.
Indigo eyes with gold flecks. A voice like sandpaper and silk.
Autumn palmed the pills and then the others, faking the sip of water.
“Oh dear,” Genie said, frowning as she pulled the neckline of Autumn’s nightgown aside. She reached for her chart and jotted something down. “You’re bruising again. I thought the switch in brands of blood thinner got that under control.” She set the chart down on Autumn’s bedside table. “Well, we’ll see if he wants to revisit things, because that’s a nasty bruise,” she said, giving Autumn’s collarbone another glance. Genie’s gaze shifted away. “Autumn,” she started.
“No,” Autumn whispered, shaking her head, denying what she knew was coming. She’d heard that tone in Genie’s voice. Too many times. Far too many times.
“Mara passed last night, love. I’m so sorry.”
Autumn squeezed her eyes shut. Oh, Mara.
Genie put her hand on Autumn’s leg, giving it a small pat before she stood. “Would you like me to stay while you get washed up?”
Autumn gave her head a small shake, attempting to muster the semblance of a smile for Genie. “No,” she said, “I’ll be okay.”
Genie hesitated another moment, her expression sad and a little worried but not overly. They’d traveled this road before. They’d all be all right. And then they’d go down it again. Before it was Autumn’s turn.
Genie went into the bathroom, and Autumn heard her refilling some items. Autumn focused on her breath for a few moments, saying a silent prayer for sweet Mara. “Run, Mara,” she said, picturing her friend racing on strong, healthy legs toward the pearly gates.
Recalling the impact in the woods, the one that had slammed into her shoulder, knocking her to the ground, she gingerly touched the back of her head. It felt tender to the touch, and there was a small lump under her hair.