The Shrink Program

Chapter 55

I was just getting really into 'Hark the Herald Angel Sings' when I heard an annoyingly familiar voice.

"I told you no bags. "

Apollo.

"It was the only way I was going to sneak her out!"

A frustrated sigh.

"If I wanted you to be discrete, I wouldn't have had you grab her off Maziric."

Would you people quit with the small talk and let me out already-

With a grunt from my abductor, my prison suddenly swung, sending me tumbling against the fabric walls.

Then we were upside down.

I swore, falling out of the bag and onto the softness of a waiting hand.

I should be more careful with what I wish for...

Groaning, I blinked into sudden brightness, following the hand holding me up and arm and into the pale green eyes of Apollo.

Before I could even react, a giant hand was upon me...

... Yanking my toothpick away from me...

... With a crack, my only means of defence was snapped in half and discarded...

....

"...HEY! I was still using that!"

Apollo studied me, eyebrow raised sardonically at my outraged state, before looking at the guy who had delivered me.

"You're in luck." The hand beneath me tensed, belying Apollo's bored expression. "She doesn't seem too traumatised, so I'll let you off with a warning."

Apollo bit down hard, crushing the lollipop in his mouth.

"Don't. Improvise. Ever. Again."

Gulp... That lollipop had been the size of my head...

"Now, Hurry up and get to the assembly point before the teachers think you're missing." He said, biting at the lollipop stick in his mouth.

"What about you...?"

"I'm already marked as absent, okay?" Apollo said, glaring darkly. "Just get lost before I lose my temper."

I stared, a little taken aback by the snark.

I'd never seen him so... Not sarcastic before.

Apollo always seemed like he was in complete control of the situation, pretty much to the point that he was bored and just going through the motions.

Seeing him interacting with his minions like a stressed-out dictator, it was like getting a behind the scenes view to... you know, my abduction.

With a muttered yes from his errand boy, Apollo turned and began walking quickly, not bothering to look down at me in his hand.

From the way the sky blurred with his gigantic steps, I figured out that I was outside.

There's a reason why they call me Captain Obvious.

And it's not just because I run the ship.

"So. What happened to my three days?" I said. My attempts to sit up and not really succeeding...

His gaze flickered down to me.

"You lower your guard way too easily Maddison."

The almost playfulness from those times he came to boast or negotiate was gone, leaving only the brilliant mind, and the cold determination.