A Hero in the Dark: 2nd Edition

Chapter 110: Late Night Hazards

I toss and turn all night, that nauseating sensation rooted in the pit of my belly constantly making me want to throw up, but nothing ever happens. It's annoying, and I'm tired of it, so fucking tired of it. I've tried sleeping on every side imaginable; my left, right, back, front—the latter just made my chest hurt. It also doesn't help that I need to use the bathroom all the time. I don't even drink that much! But it's like my bladder's always full.

I drag myself out of bed, reluctantly so, when I know I can't hold it anymore and stay on the toilet for a good time after the stream ends, just in case my stupid body decides it wants to add another bloody trinkle. I wonder if it's soon to be that time of the month again; when was the last time I had it anyway? Fuck. I don't remember.

I clean up when I'm done, even wash my face with cold water, then crawl back into bed, but I still can't sleep. Everything Nine said... it has me on edge, wanting to go through with it, just—not right now. I can barely stand, or hell, breathe sometimes. I don't know what's wrong with me. I only have two weeks to decide whether to help Nine or not, which seems like a lot of time, but time has been so away from me lately. I don't want to slip any further.

Nine's right. If this is my chance to prove myself, I want to take it. I want Einar to pay. If I need to side with him for the time being, then okay, but I want to—as Nine put it—bring him to his knees. I should've done that the first second I saw him. I want them all to know how it feels.

Carefully, I drag myself up and out again, leaning partially on the wall and partially on Pixie, who's shifted into the king of the cats—albeit his queen. She purrs under my arm as we make our way down the hall. I wish I knew what time it was; it feels late, and it's quiet as hell.

It isn't until I hear Taylor's voice, and I think... Kopano? in the room beside mine that I freeze, and that reminds me... I knock on the door, hoping they'll answer, and sure enough, I'm staring into the eyes of Taylor Cook. I think she's a little stunned to see me in their doorway. "Emily?"

"Hi, um, is Ran there?"

"Let me check." But before she even has to ask, Ran's peeking her head out of her room. They whisper to each other; some sort of girl-talk that I don't know how to speak, but I don't really care anyway. Taylor turns back. "Why are you looking for her?"

"Can I talk to you?" I ask, looking past the blonde and straight at Ran now. "Sorry. I know it's late. It won't take long though."

"Sure. Give me a second."

Taylor closes the door, but leaves it open a slit, and in just a minute or so, Ran joins me in the hall, closing the door after her. "What is it?"

"Sorry if I'm interrupting anything," I start, but she shakes her head. "I just, I wanted to say thank you, for, um, saving my life back there... in Iceland, or you know, reviving me."

"No problem."

"If there's anything I can do to repay you..." I say, though I'm not sure what to offer her.

"It's fine," she assures me, waving it away. "Is that all you wanted to say?"

"Yeah. Um, thanks. Have a good night."

"Yes," she replies. "You too."

I turn away and continue my walk with Pixie towards the elevator. It arrives quickly, and we step in. I press the G button. By the time it dings, we make our way out, outside, and I mutter, "Nine's cabin," in Pixie's ear. "I need to talk to him, girl."

It takes about ten minutes to get there at my pace, and my stomach twists a few times like it would if I were on a rollercoaster enduring sharp twists. I try my hardest to keep my insides still.