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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"Sometimes doing your best is not good enough."
Wakanda, East Africa July, 2016
"–AND DON'T FORGET TO EAT some vegetables, Yelena, you can't just eat candy bars for the rest of your life." Lucy sighed as she adjusted the phone pressed to her ear, opening a protein bar. "Oh, and remember there's an explosive rigged to the safehouse. So if you ever need it–"
"Yes, mom," Yelena groaned on the other side of the phone, "I get it. I'll be fine here. It's just one safehouse to the next. Besides, I've got Fanny here to guard the door."
There was the sound of faint barking and Lucy couldn't help the smile that formed on her face. She'd taken the time to buy Yelena a fluffy dog just as she'd asked. It had taken her some time to fly to Korea and return with a dog, but Isaac had been excited to see her again–even more excited when she asked to adopt one of the pitiful puppies hiding behind the cage doors. So she liked to think it was worth it.
Lucy didn't really like looking at the interior of shelters, though, no matter how open Isaac had tried to make it look. Because, in the end, there were always cages, and those metal bars sent shivers down her back,
"Yes, Fanny, who is still a puppy." She shook her head. "I trust that you're strong enough, 'Lena, if anything happens. And seriously, take good care of yourself. You deserve it."
She could almost see Yelena roll her eyes.
"I know." She huffed. "You should too, you know, take care of yourself."
Lucy leaned her head against the wall behind her.
"Yeah, I will." She said softly. "I'm going to have to call you later."
"Alright." Yelena cleared her throat. "See you soon–oh no, Fanny, not the couch!"
Lucy flicked her finger and her phone moved to float in front of her, molecules buzzing around it. She watched the call end, taking a bite of the protein bar in her hand. She looked up as Okoye stepped past her, pausing for a brief second, before collapsing her spear.
She sat down in the seat across from her, hooking her spear to her hip. Lucy's eyes wandered to the window of the quinjet, looking across the vast forestry beneath them. They'd been flying for hours now, so she was sure they would be landing soon.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" She asked.
Lucy looked back at her, swallowing the protein bar.
