People I mightlove, made me feel every bit like a frozen popsicle.
I wondered who Valory had left behind...
Pain struck me at the thought.
“Did you take this...friendship...offline?”Endor asked, his voice full of concern.
Not judgment, but more like...the way a father would be concerned.
The way my fathershouldhave been concerned, if he’d noticed.
I thought about his question.I couldn’t really remember what happened.I remembered talking online.Remembered staying up for hours talking about shows and school and college applications.
College applications...
Miles was a freshman in college.
The truth hit me as I remembered him lamenting about his impending twentieth birthday.
When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday...
You.I want to meet you.
I blinked as I sucked in a breath, my hand settling on my chest.My heart beat fast, like the wheels of the train beneath our feet.
“I think that’s a yes,” Valory said, but suddenly, I felt faint.My heart was dangerously beating fast and my gasps had turned rapid.
I couldn’t breathe.I couldn’t...
“Shh...deep breaths, Mercy,” Endor’s voice cut through the panic and he shifted me into his lap, wrapping me up like a baby in his arms.
I curled up in his warmth, grabbing his arms as I tried to focus on his voice, his warmth.
“Mercy...”
“We pushed her too hard,” Endor bit.“Youpushed her too hard.She’s just a fucking kid, not a criminal.”
“We need her to remember!”Val said, her tone pleading.“If he’s out there...”
I closed my eyes, her truth stirring up a hundred memories, a hundred fantasies, and a hundred wishes.
If he’s out there.
He had to be, right?
I couldn’t be in this alone...
I’d always been alone...
Until I found him.
I squeezed my eyes shut, pain and exhaustion overtaking me.
“It’s okay, Mercedes.I have you.You’re safe,” Endor breathed.
Valory’s hand rubbed my back and Endor growled, but he didn’t push her away.
“We have you,” she said, her voice stern.
