Unfamiliar (Unfamiliar Series #1)

Chapter 24

"Well," Astrid says as she thumps an energy drink down on the table, "sorry about last night."

It's lunchtime and it's the first time that I've seen her all day. After getting back from the police station, Tessa and I had just managed to limp her up the stairs between us before we put her in her bed. Which is where she's remained passed out until noon.

She looks awful. 

I can't help but wince in sympathy at the sight of her, what with her skin being a sickly shade of white. Her eye sockets are also shadowed and purple, making her face look sunken and gaunt. I'd almost think that she's put on costume makeup to look the way she does, as its such a stark contrast. She turns slightly green as she scoots in at the table.

There's already a sheen of sweat building up on her forehead, plastering the feathery strands of her hair against her skin. Her eyes are narrowed with concentration and she's shivering even though she's wearing a Def Leppard hoodie with the hood up and cinched around her face.

She cracks the tab on her energy drink and gulps it down like she's been the victim of dehydration. Tessa, Luke and I watch her with a slight fascination and horror of her condition as she quickly finishes the drink off before she reaches into her pocket for another one. She cracks the tab on it and takes a few, slower sips before she presses the can against her forehead and sighs. 

"Tessa, I put your talisman necklace back in your jewelry box," Astrid mentions casually.

"Thanks...are you alright?" Tessa inquires, her head tilting.

Astrid doesn't seem to hear her at first. Her eyes flicker, her gaze spacey as she looks off into the distance before she looks to Tessa. 

"Yes, fine, why?" Astrid asks, her British accent even thicker than usual.

"No offense, but you look sick," I say, since it seems like no one else is going to spell it out for her.

This earns a faint twinge of a smile from her. 

"I'm aware, it happens after...well, you know," she trails off and focuses on looking at her energy drink can.

A bead of condensation has begun to roll down the side of it and Astrid watches, entranced as her eyes remain unfocused.

"So let's talk about last night," a voice suddenly says in my head.

Tessa and Luke must have heard it as well because they pause in their actions. Luke is still holding a fork halfway up to his mouth while Tessa draws in a sharp breath, her gaze snapping to mine as her eyes widen.

"How...," I say softly and Astrid frowns.

"No, don't speak out loud, focus your reply and let it flow outwards," Astrid corrects me, her mouth still not moving as she takes a sip of her energy drink. "I've set up a link between us four."  

I think of the words I want to say, but Tessa suddenly speaks and interrupts me.

"Telepathy, that would have been useful last night," she deadpans in my mind and I can't help but grin.

"Quit smiling, telepathy is useless if it still looks like we're having a conversation," Astrid says and I stop smiling immediately.

"Sorry," I busy myself with eating my lunch as Luke copies me.

"Is it your affinity or something from an advanced class?" he inquires as he fidgets with his notebook and begins to write a few notes for his alchemy class.

"Neither, a friend taught me how to," she says as her eyes take on a faraway look before she blinks, "anyways, Finn wasn't stabbed."

"Then what did happen?" I ask as I resist the urge to share a look with the others.