Page 43 of Martyr
“Claustrophobia?”
She nods. “Or?”
“Like an animal in one of those metal claws. Some will gnaw off their own leg to escape.”
Her attention shifts more directly onto me. “Do you feel the need to gnaw off your own leg to escape?”
“Not currently.”
We’re facing Sterling Falls, but it’s out of sight. Too far across the water. It’s only sometimes visible on a clear night.
“But…?”
“But perhaps some other residents might get restless. If they know they can’t actually leave.” I shrug. “Just a thought.”
“Do you have someone in particular you’re worried about?”
I debate. “Perhaps I should check on Lyssa Laurent.”
“Perhaps.”
“She squeezed my hand. She could open her eyes at any moment.”
“You mentioned that,” she murmurs.
“I really think she could wake up.”
“Hope is a good thing to hold on to in dark times, Artemis. But it can also be dangerous.”
“I told Kade that optimism was adjacent to foolishness.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“I think I hit the nail on the head.” I pause. “But perhaps being foolish isn’t the worst trait in the world right now. Burying my head in the sand would be easier.”
“Hmm.” She tips her head toward the buildings.
We slowly make our way in that direction. My mug is empty by the time we get to the door, and she takes it back from me. Inside, I’d go right to get to Lyssa’s room, and she’d go left to return the mug—or left and then up the stairs to reach her office.
“I don’t consider you a fool,” she finally says. “And I know you’ll do what’s right to protect those who can’t protect themselves.”
Goosebumps erupt down the backs of my arms. She walks away without a backward glance. That sounded like she knows…more. More than anything I told her about my past.
Weird.
It’s weird, right?
I reach Lyssa’s room, but the door is open. There are voices coming from inside. I pause, straining to hear. Dr. Hawthorne didn’t say Ishouldn’tvisit. And Kade was passed out on the couch when I left.
Besides, the voices are female.
Physical therapy?
Fuck it.
I step inside like I’m meant to be there, then stop dead. There’s a doctor sitting on the edge of Lyssa’s bed, and she seems to be holding one side of a conversation.
The girl formerly known as Sleeping Beauty is holding the other.
