Ending Link (Link Dane 2)

SIXTEEN

Sixteen

I was walking around aimlessly for a good five minutes before my mind caught up with my feet. It was quite chilly out today hence why my shivers were uncontrollable... or the drugs pumped into my system were probably wearing off.

I had woken up to the sound of a car's loud revving. I had been dumped at some corner of a sidewalk, carefully hidden from the busy eye of the general public but still out in the open for anyone's wandering eyes to spot me. How or when I got there was a black memory. I couldn't recall anything after Benji's parting words.

Benji.

I want to scream as my insides clenched with fury. He threatened Joy. He wanted to pick my brains for information I knew was not there. But he didn't believe me. And he wasn't going to stop.

My feet carried on dragging across the ground and a sickening headache started to rise up. The pounding was so loud and painful, I had to stop and close my eyes several times.

"Focus Ori." I told myself, blinking a few times to try and push the pain back so I could focus on my surroundings. I just needed to know where I was.

It became clear where I was as I continued to walk. I noticed the street ahead of me and nearly let out a whimper. It can't be that street... surely Benji wouldn't drop me so close to my safe haven. But then again, he might have done so on purpose.

I rounded the corner of the street and let out a strangled cry. There stood Palmers. From my spot, I could gather that it was quite as busy, telling me it would currently be mid-afternoon. Outside stood Mace, a phone plastered on his ear and he was listening intently to whoever was on the other line.

I opened my mouth to shout at him. Before I could, his gaze snapped to my direction and his hard eyes fell on me. He put the phone down, pushed it down his pocket and came running.

"Orianna," he said as he grabbed me just in time before my legs gave out from under me.

I tried to tell him everything then and there but my mouth was just tired and I had this sudden urge to puke my insides out. Mace spotted my struggle and shook his head a firm 'no'.

No to talking or no to vomiting? I couldn't ask but I did neither. He hoisted me off the sidewalk and into his arms. His long strides were effortless as though I weighted nothing more than a feather.

Was it wise to walk in to Palmers with me in this state? It possibly couldn't be but Mace quickly got me inside the bakery.

There were a few customers scattered at the front, busy with their drinks and cakes to give me the time of the day. Mace tactically carried me into the back and placed me on the empty chair that was pushed against the wall.

"What happened?" He asked.

I blinked a few times, willing my head to get back into focus and stop it from doing whatever the hell it was doing. Palmer appeared from behind Mace and came right in my face, concern all over her.

Her small hands cupped both my cheeks. "Ori, are you okay?"

I nodded my head. Apart from my head, and my whole system feeling woozy, everything else felt just fine. Nothing hurt and nothing felt out the ordinary.