Page 82 of The Wishing Game

I stick my tongue out at him before I dash out to the restroom.

* * *

Isplash water over my face, glancing into the mirror as I take in my bedraggled appearance. A shower would be nice. A change of clothes too.

Taking a deep breath, I turn off the faucet as I lean against the sink.

"Nikki?" I whisper out loud. "Are you here?"

I wait minutes on end for him to reply, but the only sound in the small restroom is that of my own breathing.

"Please, Nikki. Give me a sign if you're here," I speak louder.

For a moment, panic swells in my breast as the thought that he might have been taken by the Collectors crosses my mind. Would they do that? Take any soul in the vicinity? I must question Thea about it...

He can't be gone, right?

I know it's irrational to feel such fear strike me when I know I'll see him again at the end of this game. But just having him with me and knowing he is by my side is the support I highly need. Since we left the hacienda together, I don't think we've spent more than one day apart at a time. Certainly, never without speaking every hour or so. But now...

"Please let me know you're by my side," I whisper.

Yet it's in vain. I continue to wait, calling for him, pleading with him.

Maybe he can't show himself to me. Maybe his energy is depleted and he needs to recharge. Then he'll come back by my side.

God, even if I can't touch him, I just want to feel his presence around me. I just want to know that at a molecular or mystical level, his atoms hug mine. That is enough to keep me going.

Combing my fingers through my hair until I look halfway decent, I prepare to go back to the dinner table. I close the door of the bathroom behind me, but as I whip my gaze up, I find Ze standing in the hallway, swaying slightly on his feet.

He frowns when he sees me, taking a step closer.

"Are you all right?" I ask, a little worried. Hadn't Cer said our food isn't compatible with their bodies?

"I... Where am I?" He looks disoriented as he rests his arm against the wall, bringing his fingers to his temples and massaging them lightly.

"You don't look too good, Ze. Maybe you should sit down?"

He doesn't answer me, merely letting out a soft grunt. His eyes are closed, his lips half-parted as if he's struggling to breathe.

"Ze?" I call his name again as I reach his side, tentatively reaching out to touch him. All previous animosities are quickly forgotten as I remember the way Thea had reacted to the bacon. It had been excruciating to watch. I can't imagine what it must be like to experience it. "Is it the meat? Is it making you sick?"

He mumbles something under his breath that I can't understand, but it's clear something's not quite right with him.

He's too much of a giant for me to carry him, but I manage to help him into one of the individual bathroom stalls. As soon as I close the door, he slips from my grip, falling to the floor with a thud. I catch myself just in time not to lose my balance and fall on top of him.

"Ze," I say as I crouch in front of him.

His eyes are droopy, his face flushed. Pursing my lips, I get to my feet and grab some paper towels, folding them together in a thick layer. I quickly wet them before I bring them to his forehead, gently tapping the makeshift cold compress across his skin.

"It's the meat, isn't it? Do you need to throw up?"

He lets out a mumbled, unintelligible sound.

"Is that a yes?" I ask, ready to help him move to the toilet.

He shakes his head lightly.

"I'll be fine," he finally says in a ragged tone.

---