Page 39 of Fallen Thorns
I eased my eyes open, a blur of images forming before me. There was barely any light yet I made out my three carers. Mars gazed worriedly into my eyes; Carmen stood behind them with a similar expression. The third I could not see fully, but their posture indicated they were the most panicked of all. I didn’t want the realisation to sink in. It couldn’t be her. No. I swore I’d never let this happen. I tried so hard.
I looked down at my arms, tears healing, scars glistening, hands coated in a dry mixture of my own blood, the bag, and something else, something much darker. And not just in colour. No, this was a deep routed darkness, the hue of true evil.
I looked up again, the third figure now in full view.
Rani.
What have I become?
“I’m sorry,” I cried.
The shadows claimed me once again.
ChapterNine
The new hour chimes were what finally brought me back to the world.
I should have known I’d end up back in that room: my friendly sandstone prison. What I never would have expected though, was to find my best friend in here with me. Rani slept with her head resting on Carmen’s shoulder, the two sitting propped up against the pillar in front of me. Both at peaceful rest. Unharmed.
The other unexpected surprise was the buckled restraints wrapped tightly around my wrists and ankles.
But it’s what I deserve, isn’t it?
My arms had been cleaned. The wounds had mostly healed themselves, but those faint scars would likely always be there, no matter how much my inhuman abilities tried to disguise them: a reminder of my limits.
I don’t remember what I did before I awoke there, not clearly anyway. But the strangling dread that encompassed me answered every question I might have had. I lost control. And...I think I might have killed someone.I glanced down at my arms again.
My throat burned as I wretched up my insides; my fingers tingled and my back ached.
“Arlo!” Rani was on her feet in an instant, rushing over and mopping up my mouth with her sleeve. I recoiled.
“Get back!” Carmen shouted. She abruptly pulled my friend away and positioned herself between us.
I stared up painfully at Rani who peered over Carmen’s shoulder like a startled fawn.
“You can’t be doing that,” Carmen continued firmly.
My eyes darted between them like watching a tennis match.
“I’m not stupid.” My friend pushed herself back in front of Carmen who reluctantly relaxed her guarded stance.
“Look at it Rani, that’s not who you think it is.”
But it is me. I’m me. Arlo. Please. I’m so sorry.
Rani’s shoulders dropped and she let out a huff of air.
“Arlo?” She looked directly at me and lowered to her knees. I followed her with my gaze.
“Rani...” I croaked.
“It’s okay, Arlo. You’re safe now.” She slowly reached out her hand and gently placed it on my knee. It spasmed under the touch but then my muscles relaxed, there was no hostility in the touch. My breathing settled.
“Rani...”
“Right, that’s enough, I’m going to get Marianne and let her know it’s awake. Stay away.”
“He,” Rani corrected, brows furrowed as she glared at Carmen with an abrupt tilt of her head.Does she need correcting? Am I worthy of that?
