Mythical Link ▸ Link Neal {Book One}

Forty Eight

     "What if it comes back, mom," Lily cried. 

     Christy gently hugged her to her side. "Don't worry baby, it's not going to come back. Daddy scared it off." 

     Link watched as they disappeared upstairs. He dreaded her reaction to seeing their place demolished, but what terrified him most was a beast capable of that damage could return. Rhett and Link raced up the stairs after them, and zipped into the bathroom before anyone could notice. 

     He reached under the sink and pulled out the first aid kit. Popping it open, Link fished for the supplies. Antibiotic ointment, gauze, medical tape, and peroxide. He closed the kit, motioning with his eyes for Rhett to take a seat on the toilet. Rhett obliged and Link took a cotton ball out of the plastic jar on the sink. He unscrewed the cap of the peroxide with shaky hands.

     Peroxide spilled out of the bottle and onto his hands, and he grunted in frustration. He covered the entrance of the bottle with the cotton ball and tipped the bottle over to get a little peroxide on it, his hands so unstable that he couldn't maneuver the bottle. The peroxide flowed out of the bottle too fast and dribbled over the sides of the cotton ball and onto the floor, ushering a string of curse words out of Link. Rhett watched Link fumble with concern in his eyes and he reached forward, clasping Link by the forearms. "Hey," he said softly, but Link shook his head.

     "We have to do this fast and get out of here before it comes back," he mumbled, his eyes downcast. He tried it again and the same thing happened. 

     Rhett leaned forward so he could look into Link's eyes. "Link." 

     Link stumbled backward, a cry gurgling from his throat. 

     "Link! Talk to me. Tell me what's happening," Rhett's voice dripped with urgency. Link dropped the bottle of peroxide to the floor, and the bottle bounced as the contents splashed all over the tiles. Rhett kicked his feet up into the air with wide eyes, Link crying out as he backed himself against the door. 

     Link heaved for breaths, eyeing the puddle on the ground as if it was going to transform into a large serpent and swallow him whole. He shook his head and forced himself to stand over the sink, grasping the sides of it with white knuckles. 

     The concern that Rhett held inside for his friend bubbled in his chest and he coughed with panic. "Link, come on man. What's going on!"

     "I can't explain it to you," Link said through his teeth, squeezing his eyes shut. 

     Rhett rose to his feet and walked over to him, sloshing through the puddle on the ground. "Try." 

     Link lifted his head and opened his eyes, removing his glasses and setting them to the side so Rhett could look into his eyes. "I told you, I can't!" 

     "Dammit Link, you need to try! Tell me what's going on! You can tell me anything, remember?" 

     Link's nostrils flared as he glared at himself in the mirror. "Right before Terra had tried to kill me, she told me there was a darkness in my eyes. Can you see it? Cause I think I can feel it." His breaths were ragged like a double edged sword. "Every time I hear those damn whispers in my head, I have to scream."

     "Scream?" Rhett looked into Link's eyes long and hard. He'd never thought for a second that Link's eyes portrayed darkness. He shook his head. "Man, she was intoxicated by the full moon. She had no idea what she was talking about."

     "She had to have been onto something though! Unless you're saying what I'm feeling right now is all in my head."

     "Link!" Rhett took him by the shoulders and gave him a quick shake. Link's eyes widened and he clamped his lips shut. "I'm the last person on the planet to ever think that this is all in your head! And you know what, I'm going to make a promise to you right now. We're going to find out what's going on with you, alright? Come hell or high water, we will learn more about this ability you have. That's a promise." Rhett was a true man to his word. 

     Link nodded his head. "Okay. Okay," he said quietly, reaching for his glasses and placing them on his face.

     "Okay? Remember Superhero and Sidekick? You're totally turning into some kind of superhero, man! If you hadn't screamed that incredibly mind blowing scream, I would be dead right now." 

     Link swallowed. "I'd be dead too." 

     "Exactly. Do you also remember earlier when I said you might save a life?" A big grin spread across Rhett's face. "Do you feel better now knowing you saved both our lives?" 

     Link smiled as he adjusted his glasses on his face. "Yeah, I do feel better. I feel even better now since you promised to help me figure out what's going on with me."

     "That's what brothers do, man," Rhett said, clasping Link on the shoulder.

     "Rhett! Link! There's somebody at the door for you two!" Christy called, and the both of them widened their eyes.

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