Split the Deck

Chapter 14

The light swallowed me up quickly, air rushing into my lungs. I gagged, coughing harshly, water projecting out of my mouth warm and thick. My throat ached, my head throbbed and my vision was blurry, I gasped greedily and took in as much air as my lungs could handle. I brought myself up on my elbows, the cold biting into me. Goosebumps rose on the map of flesh that is my body, making my muscles tighten and quiver.

"Easy, Emma. Take it easy." A deep familiar voice spoke to me, a white hot hand guiding me forward, palm sturdily placed in between my shoulder blades. I coughed furiously, my breath barely catching. Dennis? My brain whirled in confusion, not completely understanding why he was here.

"Don't worry about understanding why he is here, Emma. Just be happy that he is." Yggdrasil said as if reading my mind. My head shot up, eyes landing on the leather adorned body of the spirit that stood before me. I felt my breath catch in my throat again. She smirked.

"Am I still dead?" I asked. My throat closing up as an exasperated sob rumbled.

"I certainly hope not, baby girl." Dennis chuckled heartily, pulling me in against his hard chest. I stiffened slightly.Dennis couldn't see her, he really couldn't see the Viking priestess that stood next to him with crossed arms and an all knowing smirk stitched into her cheeks. I pushed away from him, staring hard into his eyes.

"Dennis I didn't mean to trick you—"

"I know. I know. Shh, you are safe with me now." But was I? What had happened to Marcia and Claire? My lips bent into an unsure frown, my brows creasing. It hadn't occurred to me that he was naked from the waist up, his khaki pants stained red with blood. I wasnt sure if it was mine or not. The water droplets on his skin glistened in the moonlight, holding little moons in their orbs.
His hands gripped my arm, squeezing me tightly. The gooseflesh on my arms eased by the warm friction he caused and I leaned towards him, eyes suddenly heavy. Exhaustion hit me like a tsunami. It wasn't long before I found myself welcoming the sweet caress of sleep.

I awoke to the annoying sound of beeping and dim, buzzing lights with people clattering in the background. I blinked rapidly, trying to get my bearings. My head lifted off of the pillow slightly, my hands following shakily. My right hand felt stiff, it stung if I bent it and upon further inspection I found a white gauze bandage taped down over the back of my hand and a clear tube exiting the bandage. An I.V.. I gave a small look of confusion, fear rising in me. Was it all a dream?

      "No, it was very real, little one." Yggdrasil's earthy voice dragged across me, my me glance in its direction. She leaned against the wall, eyeing a code blue button on the wall with curiosity.

     "Why are you still here?" I groaned, slamming my head against the pillow and hissing in pain.

     "You released me. I'm your guide, remember? Or maybe your skull is softer than I thought and the rock did irreparable damage to your simple brain." She scoffed and glared over at me. I returned her knife sharp glance with my own.

     "Very funny, I forgot how to laugh. Now, can you kindly explain to me what happened while I was out?"
     Her lips curled into a wicked smile, her shoulders squaring up and she straightened her back. She seemed eerily pleased to tell me the tale of little unconscious me. I settled in my place, readying myself for the news when two police officers clad in uniform. Yggdrasil gave a disappointed look and shifted her bewitching glare at them.

"Good afternoon, Miss Mental. I hope you are feeling well and up for some questioning?" The male cop—Santagato—asked, his brows raising hopefully. I nodded slowly, steeling myself.

"I hope you are feeling up to a swift kick in your ass." The spirit retorted.

"Do you this man? His name is Kevin Wendell Crumb, I understand he kidnapped you and your two friends. I need to know if you knew him personally." Santagato explained, giving me a small picture of Dennis. Only he didn't have glasses on and he looked miserable, like the world had shown him no compassion for decades. My heart bled for him. I looked into the officer's eyes and lied. I told him no when it felt like my soul had known him for millennia's. "How old are you?"

"Eighteen."

"And you're still in high school?" The female officer—Alvarez—asked suspiciously, as if accusing me of something. I narrowed my eyes at her. She tucked a stand of long, wavy blonde hair behind her ear and crossed her arms.

"Let's just say I started late." I replied coldly.

"What about your parents?" She asked. "Where are they?"

"She knows where they are at. Do not let her trick you." Yggdrasil growled, her form appearing next to me. She hovered like a protective alpha wolf, pointed her spear at detective Alvarez.

"I think you know what happened to them," I glared, my voice cracking. There had been no love for my parents but still, I found myself holding back tears. I was an orphan now, completely alone in the world. I felt ice shoot up my spine. She reached out for my hand and gave me an understanding smile but all I could feel was the distrust and the malice she wanted to spit. It felt like fire exploding in my veins. Alvarez' face paled, her eyes widening as I met her stare. A warm calm seeped from me and into her, I returned her sweet smile, watching her relax. "Santagato we should go. She looks tired, and we have more to look at." She suggested, pulling her hand away and began to flex her fingers. Satagato looked confused but nodded.

     "Thank you, Miss Mental. You've been very helpful." He said before turning and leaving the room.