Winter's Edge

Chapter 67 - Aged

Abby

I sucked in air as a cold, damp washcloth grazed my forehead. The familiar sound of the waterfall in the town square flowed into my ears. I cracked open my eyes and sat up. "Mom?" My voice was hoarse and my head pounded.

Mom hugged me. "Thank goodness you're okay." Her empathy lasted only a few more seconds before she pulled back and raised a questioning eyebrow at me. "You healed awfully quickly."

I sank back into the bed. "I was gonna tell you about my powers, eventually."

"You promised to tell me as soon as you knew." She sounded indignant.

I straightened up and eyed her sharply. "That's what you get for blackmailing me."

Mom's lips pressed together with frustration. "I wouldn't have told anyone."

"It wasn't you I was worried about. What if someone had overheard? What if the killer has our quarters bugged?" I let out a sigh. "I had to be careful."

Mom sighed in resignation. "I know. And I'm glad you did." She liked to put a guilt trip on me sometimes when I hurt her feelings, even if I had a good reason for it. But she'd let it go pretty quickly, too. "I'm glad you're safe."

Then, she went mysteriously silent for a moment.

"What is it?"

She looked uncomfortable. "You've...aged."

My eyes grew wide. "No way." Did I look ninety, like Emma? I looked at my hands, then relaxed. Thank God they weren't wrinkled.

She handed me a mirror from the nightstand beside my bed.

Looking back at me was an older version of myself. Thankfully, I hadn't aged much, but I definitely looked older than before. My youthful face had become subtly thinner. More mature.

"You are like fine wine," Mom said. "Better with age." She smiled softly, trying to make me feel better.

"It's not bad, really." I tried not to wear too big a smile. "I like it."

She raised an eyebrow. "Everyone knows you have powers now. But I suppose it doesn't matter since the murderer's been dealt with."

"What?" I scowled at her. "You actually believe Ian was the murderer?"

She looked at me with pity. "Abigail, his fingerprints were on the murder weapon."

I pursed my lips. "Sometimes facts can be misinterpreted. You taught me that." I gave her a harsh stare. "Ian was framed. He didn't do this."

Mom frowned at me then glanced away contemplatively. "If you keep talking like that, you're going to have me worried."

"You should be worried. Everyone has their guard down now. And I'm likely the next target since I can separate and spy on the murderer without him knowing." I snapped my mouth shut, realizing my mistake. "Does anyone know what my power is exactly?"

Mom nodded, a worried look in her eyes.

Kat must have told them. Was she trying to get me killed? I suppressed the anger for now. I might need it later to separate.

"You need to get some food in you," Mom said. "You've been out nearly two days."

I cringed. "Two days?"

She nodded. "You did a number to your body. Kat said you could hardly move when she found you, and you lost consciousness within minutes." She stood, then leaned over to help me up. "Let's see if you can manage to get out of bed. Maybe we can get some blood pumping through those muscles of yours."

I lifted myself from the bed, my body aching with soreness. My legs quivered at first as I stood, but quickly became solid. "I think I'll be okay once I get some food in me. I'm just really sore and a little weak."

"Do you need something for the pain?" Mom said.

"No. I'll be fine." I figured the pain would serve as a reminder never to overexert myself again. Then again, I wasn't sure if overexertion had caused it or if Chen had.

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