Discoveries | TMR | Three

5:2

"Where the hell have you been?!" The words crash into Adeline's ears like a tidal wave, causing her to flinch instinctively.

She whirls around so fast that it's a miracle she doesn't hurt herself, her eyes widening to the point of discomfort as the bright sunlight assaults them. The initial shock fades when she recognizes Nick; his voice has a soothing quality that could calm the fiercest storms, yet a sense of urgency bubbles within her as she realizes the precarious situation they find themselves in. "Uh-."

Nick and Daniel stand on the pier, peering down at her, their features obscured by the blinding sun, rendering them mere shadows against the golden backdrop.

"And what the fuck happened to you?" She can tell by his voice that he is agitated.

"And where's Maggie?" Daniel chimes in, concern lacing his voice. "Is she okay? You shouldn't have left your boat until someone came to get you."

He is agitated as well.

Maggie, clearly out of sight from the two boys, jingles the keys and swirls them around her finger as she rounds the narrow stairwell out of the cabin. "I'm here, and I'm fine," she states, glancing at Adeline and nudging her arm with her elbow. "Just a scratch, ain't it, Addy."

"Maggie!" Daniel exclaims, rushing toward her without warning. He envelops her in a tight grip, pinning her arms to her sides, leaving her utterly immobilized. "You're okay."

He whispers those last two words, his voice softening as he holds her close. Maggie turns her head toward Adeline, her eyes silently begging for help. She feels the pressure on her chest, her breath becoming shallow and uneven, but all Adeline can do is raise her hands in a gesture that clearly says, 'I'm not getting involved.'

Or at least, that's what Maggie presumes are her thoughts.

She rolls her eyes at the other girl and gives Daniel a half-hearted hug, barely managing to pat his back. "Maybe not so much after this," she murmurs, her voice thick with emotion. "You're squeezing a bit too tight there, buddy."

"Shit, sorry," Daniel exclaims, finally pulling back to let her catch her breath. Yet, his hands remain firmly on her arms, his gaze lingering on her face and neck for an uncomfortably long moment. "Are you alright? What happened last night? We went to the boat, and everything was wrecked inside. We thought you might have turned. How are you feeling?"

Maggie's eyes widen at the flood of questions. Just then, Nick steps onto the boat and gently tugs Daniel back. "Alright, give her some space, man," he laughs, though he doesn't quite follow his own advice as he pulls her into a much softer hug than Daniel's.

"It's good to see you, Nicky." She smiles as she accepts the warm embrace by wrapping her arms around his midriff.

"It's Nick," she hears him whisper in her ear. "How many times do I need to correct you?"

In playful defiance, she rises onto her tiptoes and whispers back, "At least one more time."

Maggie feels Nick's body shake with laughter, and when she settles back on her feet, she senses him shaking his head above her. "Did you get the serum?" he asks.

"No, I'm waiting for Lily to do that," Maggie replies, stepping back to stand beside Adeline. "Addy got a bit skittish."

Nick makes a face that Adeline can't quite decipher, but she knows it leans toward confusion. "I've seen you chop off a guy's finger to avoid hauling his body to a fingerprint scanner..." he begins, "and you're telling me you're scared of a little needle?"

Adeline shrugs. "I don't like them."

"I could give you it, Maggie," Daniel then suggests. "I've done it plenty."