“Christopher!”
Chanted in unison, two girls look at me expectedly. Set up like a waiting room, three folding chairs line the dismal entrance while a brunette and a redhead grin at me from their spot behind the counter.
“We were wondering when we’d see you again.”
“Ah, yes. I thought I’d pop by and say hello.” Clearing my throat, I paste a grin on my face, “See how you ladies were holding up.”
Marlin chuckles softly, a low amusement that grates on my nerves.
“So... how are things?”
“Good.”
“Terrible.”
They answer at the same time again, their voices crossing over each other until the redhead turns to her stepsister with a scowl.
“Shut your trap, Gizelle. You never let me have the first say.”
“Never?Why, just last night I had to listen to you go on about that boy from the market-
“What boy? The one you were blabbering to yesterday?”
The bickering kicks in, loud and obnoxious in such a tight setting. A headache builds behind my eyes, a thunderous beat that feels just as painful as these stuffy corners.
“Talia, was it?”
Leaning forward, I gently touch the redhead’s wrist. Her gasp flutters through the room while her sister’s eyes bulge out of her head.
“Actually, her name is Anastasia-
“Talia is perfect.” She breathes out the word, causing one thick ringlet to bounce across her shoulder, “I’ve never liked my name much.”
“Talia it is.” Tracing my finger up her arm, I squeeze the flesh softly, “Would you mind telling me where the high security patients are kept? My cousin isn’t the only one who lost his mind on the way here.”
She laughs a bit too loud for a bit too long.
“You Australians aresofunny. Do they teach you comedy down where you are?”
Gizele nudges her, “He’s Scottish, remember?”
“Shh.” Slapping her sister away, Anastasia gives me a blinding smile, “You’ll need a registered key and the family name.”
I sigh, motioning for her to lean forward, “Here’s the thing. I forgot my key back home and the family name was lost a long time ago.”
“Well, in that case I’m afraid I cannot-
Her mouth snaps shut when I reach over and touch her necklace. A glass slipper hangs on the end of a silver chain, a chain I slowly trace with my fingers.
Across her collarbones and around the back of her neck.
“Are you sure you can’t do this one thing for me?” Whispering in her ear, I throw her sister a wink while Marlin reaches over the counter and fishes out the key, “We could keep it a secret, Talia.”
“I-I...”
A blush stains her cheeks, her mouth opening and closing without any success.
Kissing her cheek gently, I pull away and give her an understanding smile.
