the basement with Ethan by his side.
I can almost imagine what they’re seeing.
I’m half-naked, my left shoulder drooping to one side. Elsa’s head lies on the floor as she mumbles gibberish.
“She needs a doctor,” I order. “Now.”
39
Elsa
Eli smiles down at me.
His face is as clear as glass. He has dark hair, a shade darker than Dad’s and his eyes are the same as our father’s, too.
He always said he’s Dad’s favourite and I went crying to Dad so he’d tell me that I’m his favourite, too.
Dust of freckles cover his cheek, adding a boyish charm to his face.
Eli is so pretty.
The only difference is he’s small. I am not.
I’m wearing my RES’s uniform as I stand with him in our back garden with all the tall trees and the wires.
“Why did you leave, Eli?” I whisper.
“Come on, crybaby.” He holds out his hand for me. “We’re going to have fun.”
“Fun?”
“We’ll go to a place where we’ll be free.”
Free.
Eli and I. Free.
“Hurry, crybaby.”
I’m about to place my hand in his when voices slam into my head. Firm lips press a kiss after a kiss against my dry ones.
“Stay with me, Elsa. Don’t you dare fucking leave me.”
That voice.
That touch.
“Crybaby?” Eli’s eyes water with tears. I hate it when my brother cries.
“Stay with me, Elsa.” The voice...
“Please, crybaby. Don’t leave me alone.”
“Elsa!”
“Eli and Elsa together forever, right?”
The onslaught of both voices hits me over and over again. Tentacles of pain wrap around my heart. I can’t breathe.
I can’t fucking breathe.
“Bring her back!” The voice shouts. “Bring her back before I smash this whole fucking place.”
There’s so much pain in that voice. So much passion. So much… care.
Hearing him fight for me is like being lifted into the clouds. It’s peaceful but scary.
“Crybaby?”
Eli’s hand is still stretched in front of me. His expression is drawn downwards as he pleads.
“I’m not a crybaby anymore.” But as I say that, a tear streams down my cheek. I recognise the finality as I pull my hand. “Goodbye, Eli.”
He turns to smoke, fading into the distance.
I’m tempted to try and catch him, to spend more time with him, but I recognise, deep down, this isn’t where I’m supposed to be.
Someone is waiting for me.
And I have a promise to keep.
The moment I open my eyes, a headache assaults my temples. I’m disoriented for a few seconds. It takes several blinks to focus on the walls surrounding me.
White walls. Antiseptic smell.
The hospital. I’m at the hospital.
“Elsa, you’re awake.”
Dad’s voice filters through my consciousness. He sits beside me, his five o’clock shadow appears a few days old.
“Oh, hon.” Aunt takes my hand, Uncle standing by her side with a relieved expression plastered all over his face.
“What happened?” My throat is all scratchy and dry, but the words come out clear.
“You had a fever,” Aunt speaks in rapid-fire. “Dr Albert said you had palpitations. Depending on the test results, changing your dose of pills can be enough for now, but if there are any further complications in the next few months, he might have to operate. I can’t believe you haven’t told us your heartbeat rate has been acting up.”
“Blair.” Uncle shakes his head at her.
“Fine.” She points between Dad and I. “But you bet I’m going to hound you about your appointments from now on.”
“How long have I been out?” I ask in a small voice.
“Two days,” Dad says.
Two days. Woah. That’s a lot.
Aunt goes on to tell me about the tests and the doctor’s recommendations. She has it all written in her planner and both Uncle and Dad’s schedule so no one forgets.
I’m listening to them, but something doesn’t seem right. I search my memories about what actually happened.
Aiden kidnapped me. Check.
We went to Birmingham. Check.
I remembered the past. Check.
Agnus showed up and locked us in. Check.
We had lots of sex. Double-check
But after that, it’s a blur of mismatching mosaic colours.
I search my surroundings, but there’s no sign of Aiden. A jolt of panic grips me like those tentacles from the dream.
“Where is Aiden?” I interrupt them in a choked voice.
“He stepped out with Agnus for coffee,” Dad says.
“A-Agnus?” I all but shriek.
Why would Agnus have private time with Aiden? Is he planning something else?
Oh, God. What if he decides to hurt Aiden because Dad doesn’t like him? What if he thinks, like ten years ago, that’s the best solution for everyone?
After all, he has no moral compass stopping him from eliminating people who don’t fit into his bigger picture.
My brain goes into overdrive. It’s impossible to see