“Why are we here?”
“I have some business to take care of.”
“Oh.”
A car honks, and I jump at the sound of raised voices.
“It’s okay,” Brendan says and grips my hand when I sneak mine into his.
It’s pathetic, I know.
He doesn’t say anything though, he just leads me inside.
My big brother is the best. He’s been my rock, and I know that he’s done everything he can, including spending all of hissavings on a good lawyer for me. I feel terrible that he wasted it and those monsters got free.
“Of course. Just take that elevator to the top floor.” My eyes pop up to the secretary at the reception desk, and I scan the room.
It’s a large sterile-looking lobby filled with marble and gold accents, but not much else.
“Come on, pixie.”
I smile at the pet name. He’s been using it a lot more since the… ordeal. He used to call me that when we were little because I was obsessed with all things fairy and pixie. I guess I still am. We even have a pixie garden at our house.
I find myself at the garden more and more, wishing I could turn into a pixie and fly away to a magical land where no one can hurt me ever again.
“Are you okay?” Brendan looks down at me. He’s always been taller than me, but that’s not hard. If you looked up twink in the dictionary, there would be a picture of me. I’m small, pretty, and a power bottom.
Well, I was until?—
“How about we stop for ice cream after my meeting?”
My face lights up but then falls.
Everywhere we go, I’ve been seeing monsters.
“Can we get it to go?”
“If that’s what you want.”
I nuzzle into his side. “You’re the best brother ever.”
“Nope. I’m pretty sure you are.” He gives my hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze just as the elevator doors open.
Another reception desk greets us, and the pretty lady smiles at us.
“If you’ll have a seat, Mr.—”
I jump when the elevator dings and then cringe at myself.
Brendan squeezes my hand and leads me to a chair in what looks like a waiting room, only the whole floor is a waiting room.
Why are there so few chairs, and what is the purpose of this building?
“Listen.” Brendan turns to me in his chair. “I’ve got a meeting. It should be quick, but you can’t be in there. It’s not because anything is wrong.” My hands reach for his shoulders, and I want to hold onto him.
“What if it’s not safe here?” I whisper.
“Everything will be fine.”
