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MY HEAD was pounding when I woke up to clanging noises. As I peeled my eyes open, I instantly shut them with a groan at the light penetrating them. I moved to sit up, feeling soft blankets around me. Where was I?
"Hey, Aurora, take it slow, okay?" I blink a bit to clear my eye sight.
"Topper?" I blurted out, raising my hands to prod at my temple where the pain was most prominent. I probably have a concussion or head trauma after the number Rafe did on me last night.
"Yeah, uh, Rafe really got you last night. I got there right on time to save Sarah. She's uh, in the bathroom. Woke up a few minutes ago," he explained before handing me a tray of food.
"Uh..." I glance around in utter confusion as my mind is still reeling. "Thank you." I sink into the cushions under me and grab the sandwich he had made me, scarfing it down.
Sarah walked out right then and instantly came to my side. I dropped the food, enveloping her in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're okay," I whisper in her hair as she grasps the back of my shirt.
"Ditto," she sniffles before pulling away. "Come on, eat up and we'll head back to the Chateau." I nod, filling my stomach with delicious food so we could hurry back to our friends. We still had a job to do with getting John B out of jail.
As we load onto Topper's boat, I give him a squeeze as he unties the rope anchoring us to the dock. "Thank you Topper, for saving Sarah last night." He gives a nod, giving my hand a small pat.
I take my place beside Sarah and before I know it, we're nearing the dock of the Chateau. But my eyes catch four figures, making me stand with confusion. I knew those curls like the back of my hand.
"John B?" I call out, tears lining my eyes. I send a glance to Sarah who shares my confusion. "Oh my gosh, he's out!" I express, heading to the front of the boat as Topper comes to a slow stop beside the HMS Pogue. I hop over, careful to not trip and jump into his arms.
"Hi," I softly say, tightening my hold. "I didn't know if I'd see you again," I mumble truthfully as he buries his face in my neck.
"I'm so glad you're okay." I pull back, needing answers on how he was even here and I could hold him.
"What happened?"
"They dropped all the charges," he answered with a wide smile.
"What?" I blurt out with my hands up as I tried to process the information.
"Yeah, no, yeah, I'm a free man."
"That's amazing." I let Sarah pull him in for a hug as I keep eye contact with him.
"But listen, Sarah," said girl takes her place beside me as John B looks directly at her. "They're coming after Rafe."
