Of Fangs & Fins ✔

27. Tension in two

SR: Nardn - Overthinking

Twenty-Seven.

Eryn.

The jolt of hitting land enticed me like no other. I forced myself to my feet and looked around, wincing as the numerous parts of my body protested in pain. I hadn't felt like this in a very long time.

The sun took a toll on me and Marina's drop of blood wasn't enough to tide me over. It's been so long since the sun bothered me. I was never one to not wear my daywalker gem and now that it was gone, I was weak.

The beach was crawling around with humans, their heartbeats making their own song. I tightened the blanket around my neck and made sure my hood was secured. I zeroed in on the bright sand, ignoring how it burned under my feet.

Marina tied the boat up and looked at it for a moment. "Am I ever going to see it again?"

I leaned onto a wooden post that was a part of the docks. My breath was labored and hollowed.

"I'm sure you will," I said hoarsely, my throat dry and cracked.

Marina turned around and slid her arm around my waist. There was a hardened expression on her face that I couldn't quite place.

"You're not looking good."

I leaned most of my weight on Marina, hoping that it didn't bother her too much. I hated to have to depend on her, it should've been the other way around.

"I'll be fine once we're home."

I tightened the blanket around me as the boardwalk grew brighter.

"Oh, great," I muttered, "so inconvenient."

"The only thing around here is an auto shop. Maybe we can—"

I was already limping on over to the auto store.

Marina raced to meet up with me and put her arm around my waist again.

We headed on over to the garage where a guy was crouched next to a motorcycle, screwing in the license plate. I glanced at the signs on the walls and was relieved that we weren't too far from Queen Anne. North Admiral was a bit South from Queen Anne. It would take us about an hour if we walked over there, perhaps longer with my condition.

"Hey, does it work?" I asked, calling the attention of the mechanic. He raised his head from the black Kawasaki and nodded.

The mechanic stood up straight and smiled. He looked lovingly at the bike.

"Yeah, I'm just finishing the license—"

"You're giving the bike to me," I replied, looking at him in the eye, wasting no time. The longer I stayed out here, the more I felt as if I was crawling out of my own skin. Everyone was so goddamn tempting; it took all my being not to tear this man apart.

His smiling expression faltered for a moment and he looked confused. "Why would I do that?"

I cursed and took a weak step forward. He had a stronger will than my weakened state could handle right now.

Marina tightened her grip around my waist. She stopped and stepped in front of me. A melodic sound came from Marina, causing the mechanic to stare at her for a long time. If I let myself listen to her, I would've also fallen into the trance-like state he was in.

I shook my head.

"What was that?"

"Just try it now," Marina whispered, leaning against a nearby table. I raised a brow. Whatever she did took a lot out of her.