Page 33 of Death and Do-Overs

“No.”

I sighed and looked around the lobby. “Where can I find the stairs?”

“No.”

“Seriously?”

“No stair. Elevator.” Grit pointed to one of the two doors at the other end of the room, which I’d assumed were both bathrooms.

Maybe I’d have better luck asking other guests. It was possible someone, at some point, would mistake me for Nie and approach me to talk. I’d cross my fingers, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

My muscles ached with the weight of the day. It had been over thirty-six hours since I’d slept. I needed food. I needed sleep. I needed answers.

Instead of heading up to my room, I decided to walk around town a little more, see if there was anywhere that Nie would respond to the way she had in that bloody alley.

As I walked, I asked, “Did you come to the hotel, Nie?”

She didn’t answer. She was completely still in my bag. I peeked down and checked the eyeholes to make sure she was all right. Her eyes were shut.

My breath hitched. What if Wendy’s magic had worn off? Concern gnawed at my guts.

“Hey.” I gave the bag a little jostle. “Wake up.”

She made a noise, but kept her eyes shut.

Nie was still with me, still alive-ish. Everything was all right. How could I blame her for taking a nap when I myself felt ready to crash on the sidewalk for the night.

I decided then that whatever restaurant I came upon first, that’s where I’d pick up some dinner, and then I could finally go to bed.

That first place turned out to be a general store, repair shop, and restaurant in one.

I grabbed a pack of underwear, a toothbrush, and a few other necessities before heading to the counter, only to find another person I recognized from the midnight market.

Instead of running a random goods stall at the market, Caspian was behind the counter at the random goods brick and mortar store.

“Marnie.” Surprise sent his purple eyebrows straight up to his purple hairline. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“I’m hungry. I’m tired. And I’m in no mood for whatever this is about to be.” I checked the menu board and picked an order.

Caspian pressed his lip tentacles together, likely in disapproval, then accepted my payment and disappeared, hopefully to prepare my food.

“Ffff.”

The sound could have been shuffling, but I could swear it sounded like Nie trying to say something inside my bag.

I froze and waited to see if the noise repeated.

“Marnie?”

I blinked and was surprised to find Caspian standing in front of me, a bag of deliciously greasy smelling food waiting on the counter. I must have been spacing out. I really needed to get some sleep.

“Take the next train out of Nevermore,” Caspian said.

“Why?”

“It’s not safe here for you.”

“Me, specifically? Why? Did you run into me in town another time? Have you seen me here before, Caspian? It’s important.”

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