Marielle did not sleep that night. In fact, she forced herself to do anything except sleep. She took her dress off, rinsed her face free of makeup, and removed the jewelry to slip into an oversized T-shirt. Maybe being comfortable would help her think more clearly. She started with cleaning the kitchen by wiping down …
Vincent’s eyes were dry and red, and when tears finally came again, they stung worse than anything he could remember in his adult life. He dreaded crying but knew it was the only form of release he was going to get. Endless hours of sleeplessness had also left his eyes swollen, and he couldn’t remember …
Shortly after they finished eating, Vincent insisted on being returned to his room, where he quietly took up reading Dracula again. Klara tried talking to him several times, even though he still refused to respond to anyone other than Marielle. She asked, “You’re smart, right? We’ll have to work together sometime.” Klara was this way …
The next day, Barbara met Marielle at the door, gray pistol case in hand, and explained that Marielle needed Sasha to qualify her for its use and sign it out. Since Marielle knew how to use a pistol well, she was annoyed to say the least. Although she wanted to see Vincent, she obeyed protocol …
{{Unedited}} The only person who just barely made it onto the plane was Austin. He sprinted to the door about one minute from it closing for good. “Nice of you to join us,” Liam growled, from the doorway to the loading bridge. Austin said nothing, and Liam led him down and onto the plane. …
{{Unedited}} During the first three-hour stretch, Marielle had fallen asleep on his shoulder, and Vincent was glad. The one pain injection that he could give her wouldn’t do much to alleviate her suffering, and it was probably close to wearing off now. The longer that she slept, the more she wouldn’t be bothered by the …
{{Unedited}} The seatbelt light dinged off, and she flew out of the seat like it was on fire, heading towards the bathroom, and closing herself in. She sat on the closed toilet and buried her face in her hands as she rocked. Her skin felt like it was on fire again. You’re falling in love …
{{Unedited}} Valorant was supposed to be a quick stop to refamiliarize everyone with the base- not much more than a warehouse with an office room containing flickering fluorescent lights, and a few rodents and spiders that had to be cleared out; it had been a while since anyone had actually seen this place, a few …
{{Unedited}} It was a little hole in the wall place that Marielle was certain was run by the mob based on the big guy with huge shoulders at the door. The walls were deep red, the lights were low, and there were real candles on the tables. The table she and Austin sat at was …
{{Unedited}} Austin had already pushed her out of the way, and presently, Marielle was on her knees and trying to stand. He yanked her up, but she was amazed to see that he’d already drawn his pistol and was aiming down the sights toward the bullets point of release. He put her behind him and …