The Clockmaker and the Pirate - EVERMORE BOOK 1

Chapter 22 -- Atlantic Ocean, 3 August 1650

I wake up to a cold sensation on my forehead.

I try to flutter open my eyes, but they're stubborn, so I have to force them open. They must open extremely abruptly though, because the first thing I see is Mitch jumping back, startled at the quick movement.

"Oh...God. You scared me," he says, quickly returning to placing a wet towel on my forehead.

"Are you alright?" I ask, my voice heavy and groggy from disuse.

Mitch takes a moment to look down at me, and then he scoffs. "I'm not the one who passed out, am I?"

"But are you okay?" I ask once more, grabbing his arm.

He sighs, shaking his head. "Yes. I'm perfectly fine. Are you okay?"

"I...I think," I answer honestly. I take the moment to look around. We're in La Rosa Morti, in the Captain's cabin. I'm lying in Mitch's bed, admittedly a little dazed. "What happened?"

Mitch shakes his head. "I'm not totally sure. We were in the lair one moment, and the next we were on the ship by some teleportation magic. And then you passed out."

I smile weakly, closing my eyes. Lindsey did it.

"Is Lindsey alright?" I ask, focusing on how his warm hands feel on my face.

"Well..." Mitch trails off, seemingly not sure how to answer. "I think it's hard for her to be alright right now."

Memories of the knife in Kirstin's hand and the wound in K.O.'s side come flooding back. "Oh," I answer faintly. "Physically, though, is she okay?"

"I believe so," Mitch hums sadly as he continues to place the cold towel on my head. Some of the water drips down from it, and I realize that it's saltwater from the ocean.

"I think I'll be fine," I tell him, making a motion to get up. I realize that I'm a little dizzy as I stand to my feet, but I'll be able to manage.

Mitch helps me, holding out his hand to steady me. As I graciously accept his help, I can't help but notice his hands -- the bruises and cuts are gone, and the dried blood has vanished. "Your hands," I say quietly. "They're healed."

Mitch nods slowly, as if just as surprised to see his unblemished hands as I am. "Oh, yeah. I guess they are," he says, moving his fingers slightly. "I hadn't noticed. It must have happened when we teleported."

So not only had Lindsey managed to get us out of Captain Lewis' lair, but she had also healed Mitch's wounded hands in the process. Apparently, she had seriously underestimated her magic abilities. "Do you think I could talk to Lindsey?" I ask, suddenly becoming woozy and having to sit down again. Mitch keeps his hand reassuringly on my back, and then nods.

"Of course, I'll send her in," Mitch replies. "Come get me if you need anything, alright?"

"Y-yes," I say, having to momentarily close my eyes to attempt to escape the loud colors and bright sounds of the atmosphere. My stomach is churning inside me, and my heartbeat it loud in my ears. God, I've never felt this poorly after teleporting or being exposed to magic before. Why this time?

"Scott?" Mitch asks, rubbing his hand up and down my arm.

"I'm fine," I reply, shaking my head and opening my eyes. "Just get Lindsey, please."

Mitch nods, and, after a concerned glance, leaves me alone in the captain's cabin. I focus on my breathing and try to steady my racing heart. Inhale, exhale. Every muscle in my body seems to be jittery and anxious; I'm exhausted and I want to sleep for years, but I can't stand to stay still.