"The course of true love never did run smooth." ~ William Shakespeare
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Kailani Hummel, an innocent small-town genderfluid teenager, gets sucked into a world that seems like only they can navigate in an attempt to save everyone they love. Will Qu...
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When Quinn's thumb clicked the trigger of the Stopwatch and watched her friends' faces face away, she vividly recalled a memory. A memory she wasn't entirely sure was hers, but that was the royal feeling under the sun's rays that overtook her vision.
Little strands of pink hair flicked in the wind. Like the tall grasses around them danced, Quinn could feel her short hair following in sorts with the methodical dance of freedom and beauty.
"Some things you see with your eyes." Kailani's soft voice whispered through the wind as Quinn closed her eyes. She could feel the wind kissing her cheeks and hugging her torso tight. "And others you see with your heart."
Warmth filled her chest and soared under her skin as the world began solidifying again. Her ears echoed with rings like Christmas bells, but the air smelt like the trips they would take to the pumpkin patch. A gentle kiss across her face as the breeze ruffled her brows until her eyes were ready to open.
Sage.
Quinn stumbled back a step when she came face to face with her reflection. Her hand raised, moved side to side and lowered before she realized it was too identical to be anything else than her reflection. She slowly turned away and looked around, witnessing the pixilated unfolding of the world around her.
A breath caught in her throat when a small child ducked under the bed to hide from her with a blue cape behind them.
Quinn looked around the unfamiliar bedroom hesitantly. She felt her back pocket for the letter Kailani Dawns had given her before slowly sinking to the floor.
"Hi, there," Quinn whispered when frightened blue eyes found hers. "Kailani, right? I'm not going to hurt you."
Kailani hugged her stuffed animal as Quinn slid a hand toward her. Her smile gained some easement from the child as her fingers brushed her dark hair. Quinn shuffled closer and tucked her waviness behind her ear, fingers brushing the soft sunburn-looking pattern on Kailani's face.
"Are you sick, Honey?" Quinn whispered as Kailani closed her eyes. She continued to roll her cold fingers around the rash, careful not to touch the redness where the little girl had flinched. "Does that feel nice?"
"Who are you?" Kailani asked, opening her eyes to examine Quinn. "My Daddy picks me up today. He's big."
Quinn chuckled. "I'm Quinn."
"I'm Kailani Eleanor Collins-Hummel-Hudson." Kailani reached out a hand and pointed to Quinn's ears. "You have glittery ears like my Mommy."
Quinn gently took Kailani's wrist when she noticed her peanut allergy band was missing. She brushed her thumb over the hospital bracelet and frowned at the noticeable bruising on her arms.
