The Missing Linck

• FIFTEEN •

Reid jumps back and opens his mouth as if to howl but no sound escapes him. He seems to be submerged in shock while I bring my fist back to beside my torso and smirk.

"I would like to rest now, so kindly vacate the room, Mr. Lynnk," I say curtly.

Still dazed, he bluntly nods and sways out the door as if he can't believe it. Well, I never said I don't know how to pack a punch. That was how I survived so many years living in an area where nearly every other person on the road is drunk. Very drunk.

Some great enterprising soul decided to rent out the plots on either side of our house to a former bartender who set up a pub to one side, and another on the other side.

I would invariably encounter someone drunk on the way home everyday. Then would have to push them off me when they tried to ask me something or whatever. Or pack a punch. Either way.

I gaze up at a spot on the otherwise immaculately white ceiling, wondering about just everything on this planet except for what happened yesterday. Nothing is exactly what I want to remember.

A rattling sound on the window jolts me up and to the window, only about ten centimetres to my right, hastening to open it. His expression forces me to open it and get back in bed as if nothing happened at all.

'Listen, Tasha, we haven't got much time. For now, our basic plan can only be for you to pretend you know nothing, and are frightened,' Valor hurriedly sends my head a message.

I glance at the door, wishing with all my heart that Reid stays out until Valor leaves.

'Tasha, focus. I've made sure this conversation is private, and I can hear when he's coming so I'll leave then. You'll be able to too, but at the moment your senses are a bit retarded. Anyways, plan. Savvy?' Valor continues.

'Give me one good reason to trust you,' I shoot back.

'You've got to!'

'That's not much, 'Alex',' I rebuke him.

'Please, Tasha, I'll explain it all to you in calmer times.' he pleads.

When I quirk up an eyebrow, he explains further, 'Everyone's in grave danger now, especially you, your parents and Quenna Lynnk. Reid's not who he seems like. Neither are his so-called parents.'

'I thought they were Quenna's parents, and adopted Reid?' I ask more than state.

'Looks can be quite deceptive. Now, our game plan is that you don't remember anything from the time you were missing, you're frightened so very much. Act all vulnerable, and pretend Reid's your saviour.'

I mock vomit at the last sentence and Valor begins to laugh but starts and then begins to clamber out the window. At the very last second he mouths 'It's okay', points his index finger at me and vanishes.

I quickly turn to my other side and my body shakes so much that any person watching would think I have a terrible cold and am freezing cold.

The door opens someone walks over and puts their hand on my shoulder, making me jerk away.

"Tashar?" that Australian twang is unmistakable as he continues, "Are you cold?"

I fervently shake my head and even manage to bring tears to my eyes.

"Does anything hurt too much?" he says, talking as if to a small child but still a bit wary.

I whimper as I shake my head again. Reid sighs and sits on the edge of my bed and begins to stroke my hand soothingly.

"You need to tell me what's wrong for me to help you," he states plaintively.

I motion to him to come close and he does, seemingly hesitant. When he's close enough, I whisper in his ear, "I'm so scared."

"You're scared?" he repeats out loud. Definitely not what he was expecting judging by his expression.

"You better be," says an unfamiliar voice whose owner I can't see.

Reid, however, seems far too happy and a wide smirk adorns his face.

"You better be, Quintasha." the voice repeats, this time joined by Reid.

And now I truly am very much frightened.

- - - - - - -

Hola, mi amigos!

Excuse the quality of this chapter since I wrote this while extremely frustrated since I tried writing this chapter thrice and it didn't sound right once. The fourth time sounded good and so I wrote the entire chapter only to have it completely deleted two entire times. FINALLY it got saved!

Also, I got distracted 'cause I was reading this #DemiLovato fanfic called Silence by lovatic_chica. It is so freaking awesome! Plus yesterday was my college ethnic day, and I'll stop coming up with excuses now, for Tasha's sake 😂

A bunch of questions now...

Who do you think the voice belongs to?

Do you think that's a character you've already encountered in the story, or a new one?

Any other theories?

What do you think of Tasha explicitly trusting Valor?

Do you think she made a mistake?

What would you do if you were in her situation?

And, last but not least, Reid, yay or nay?

See ya next update!

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