Page 44 of Sweet Heart

The sound of running water brings me back to myself, and I realize I’m scrubbing out without any memory of getting here. My hands are shaking, and I’m freezing cold. The adrenaline is wearing off. I hate this part most, but for the very first time, I find myself aching for comfort.

I shiver again when I realize it.

I crave comfort in the shape of Mary’s arms around me.

Dios mío.

Chapter 16

Mary

For the first time this week, my fingers dart over the keyboard almost as fast as I can think. The story has been brewing in my subconscious the whole time that I’ve been busy trying not to think of Cat. It is as if something has opened up and the words pour onto the screen. It’s just letters, but my mind sees something completely different.

The slick moss is damp and cool under my feet and covers most of the dark soil. I am hidden among the trees and stare in awe at three crouching figures in the darkness who don’t seem to understand how to take advantage of the densely packed forest. There is a pull from the real world, but the sharp cry of a falcon, somewhere high in the sky, sings through my body as if I belong in this one. It feels like a tether, anchoring me to the story.

Thick fur brushes my legs, and I look down to see golden eyes peering at the figures. The wolf stands at my side, its lip curled into a snarl and its belly low to the ground. It knows that I am there, but only as a witness. It makes a deep, rumbling sound that vibrates through my chest and spreads through the trees. The figures freeze as—

A loud buzz startles me back into reality. I yelp softly and glare angrily at my phone. The screen dims as if it immediately wants to end its insult, and I grab the device to turn it off. The screen comes back to life when I touch it, showing a message from Cat. I smile, all my anger suddenly evaporates, and think about last night. About the warmth of her hand holding mine, the way I seemed to fit perfectly in her arms, and the shape and taste of her gorgeous lips… My thumb flicks upward to open it.

06:18 p.m. – Katherina

Hey

06:18 p.m. – Katherina

Are you home?

I stare at the messages and blink. Something feels off about them, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Cat doesn’t seem like someone who would randomly type ‘hey.’ She is much more composed than that, isn’t she? Or am I being biased? Not that it matters. She asked me a question.

06:23 p.m. – Mary Mary

Hey, you. Yes, I am. Just writing a bit.

I hesitate, and my heart starts beating a bit faster, but then my thumbs flick over the screen, and I send another message before I can stop myself.

06:23 p.m. – Mary Mary

Wanna come over?

The reply is almost instant. It comes so fast that I wonder how she even typed it at all.

06:23 p.m. – Katherina

Lo siento, I did not realize.

06:23 p.m. – Katherina

I didn’t mean to bother you. Enjoy your writing.

I blink once, twice, three times. Fast, confused. I scroll back up to check my message, but there is nothing in there that suggests that she is bothering me. Is there?

06:24 p.m. – Mary Mary

You aren’t. Are you okay?

06:24 p.m. – Katherina

Did you mean it? When you asked if I wanted to come over?