Page 138 of Dark Endures

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“Sorry about that,” Maddox says as we walk back to the apartment.

“Don’t be.” A yawn escapes. “Everett is a good kid.”

“He really is. When you were missing, he helped me look for you.”

“You looked for me?”

“Of course I did. I couldn’t let go of the feeling that something was wrong. Everyone pitched in as we searched for you.”

Oh. It was a group effort. “Thank you. I’m sorry I caused all of you so much worry.” Emila’s right. I need to make a decision. “Tomorrow I’m going to go to work.”

“What? No. You’re not ready for that.”

“Barb said I am. I can pick up a half shift and ease my way back in until I’m up to a full day.”

“But—”

“I need to go back to work. It’s time.”

He nods.

It’s time to go on with my life one way or the other.

Adonis

Mindy

I dust my face with one last bit of powder and then take out the setting spray. Mom’s ability to cover anything has come in handy this morning.

You can’t tell I have lingering bruises on my face or neck. The rest I covered with a thick sweater and a pair of pants.

It’s as if nothing ever happened, yet my body still aches.

“Breakfast is ready,” Maddox shouts from the other side of the bathroom door.

He hasn’t moved from sleeping on the couch, and I don’t seem to have the willpower to ask him to go. Maybe he’s politely waiting for me to move out.

That would be such a Maddox thing to do. “Coming.”

I hurry out of the bathroom, grabbing my purse on the way. Then a wave of dizziness hits.

“You, okay? Maybe you shouldn’t do this today.” Maddox rushes over to me. “I’m going to call Barb.”

“No. I’m fine. My body just isn’t used to moving quickly—” Or at a close to normal pace “—anymore.”

“Are you sure?” Maddox doesn’t look like he believes me.

I’m not sure I believe myself. “Positive. What’s for breakfast?” There, sitting on the bar, is a bowl of oatmeal. Ugh!

“Your egg sandwich just needs to be assembled. I didn’t want your egg to get cold.” Maddox walks over and slides an eggonto a toasted slice of bread that already has bacon and cheese on it.

“Thank you.” I haven’t ever had someone make breakfast for me before I went to work. It feels positively decadent. “I have to hurry, or I’ll miss my train.”

“No, you don’t. I’ll drive you to work.”

What? “You don’t have to do that.”

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