BOOK 3 of the ORPHIC Series
CHURLISH
/ˈCHərliSH/
marked by a lack of civility.
~~~~~
Lucille 'Lucy' Opal Baker finds herself in the 21 century sporting the title of Aunt while lugging along h...
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"Uncertainty is the most stressful thing."
Ohio, America October, 2015
THERE WAS NO ROOM ON the floor of the awfully expensive transport vehicle so Verfall sat besides Agent Rollins, her eyes flitting back and forth unsurely as she fidgeted with her fingers. Klause drove smoothly, glancing back at Verfall ever so often. She didn't really understand why; she wondered where Dr. Schaff–Henry was. He was Klause's handler just as much as he was hers, so where was he?
She didn't understand.
The Commander looked back at the pair seated behind them, his gaze shifting between Verfall and Agent Rollins. She ducked her head, keeping her eyes focused on her hands. She'd upset him more than once, and he hadn't punished her for any of it. The scarring on his face was her fault, the burning on his hand was her fault, his jobless status was also her fault–
Commander Rumlow never hurt her before, but he must really want to.
"Hey, Verfall." Agent Rollins said softly. "C'm here."
Verfall looked at the Commander for permission and he nodded his head, turning back around to slump into his chair. She scooted closer to Agent Rollins and he gave her a smile that was somehow sad. He put a gentle hand on her head, running his fingers through her hair. She leaned into the touch, eyes falling shut.
She blinked, pulling back sharply when she realized what she was doing. The Commander should be getting upset like Winter did but he wasn't and everything was so confusing.
Why was he being so nice? Verfall didn't understand.
She'd messed up so many times but Commander Rumlow wasn't doing anything.
Agent Rollins gazed at her with furrowed brows of confusion.
"What is it?" He asked.
Verfall lowered her head.
"I was bad." She replied quietly.
Commander Rumlow glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
His gaze was sharp, even though he seemed tired. She wondered if Klause had interrupted their sleep to call them to the base. He called them to the base because. . .she'd been stolen by Agent Ward.
Yes, that sounded right.
She'd been taken and Commander Rumlow was taking her back to Henry and everything would be fine.
