Page 163 of Mayhem and Minnie

She says something, but I’m not certain I can make out the words. My legs give out and my eyes roll out in my head. She holds on to me as we both fall to the ground.

“Marlowe… Marlowe…” she keeps saying my name.

I wish I could respond, but I find I cannot make my lips move to do so.

“Molokai, you need to help…” Is that her voice? “He can’t know… His memory…” She continues, but I don’t know what that has to do with everything.

“We need to leave, Minerva. Now. If they haven’t communicated your location yet, the next troop of sentinels will when they find you.”

A male voice. Molokai… Her brother, no?

“Molokai… Please…”

Why is she begging him?

That’s my last thought before I lose consciousness.

22

Iget up, drenched in sweat. My body aches, and I groan as I flex my arms.

What a strange dream.

Even stranger is the fact that the pain is located in similar places to where I was injured or exerted myself in that dream.

My back and torso hurt from being wrenched from the car. My arms from punching too many disgusting mummies. And my throat…

I frown.

My throat would be hurting from the cold as I kept breathing harshly while pushing myself past my limits.

Of course that would be the case if my dream was not a dream. But it was a dream, no?

I immediately glance over to my right.

The spot where Minnie slept is empty.

Fuck.

If there’s any chance the dream was real and she thinks to disappear and leave me alone, then she’s sorely mistaken. I jump out of bed and run out of the room.

I don’t even bother to shower or change my sweaty clothes.

All that matters is to make sure that Minnie hasn’t left me.

Because how dare she?

I saved her and this is how she repays me? Not even a kiss?

As soon as I reach the bottom of the stairs, a delicious smell assails my nostrils.

I follow the trail that leads to the kitchen. Minnie is in her maid uniform, her expression tense and focused as she tends to the pot on the stove.

“There you are,” she says brightly as she gives me a wide smile. “How did you sleep? Any pain? You need to eat so you can take your meds.”

I stare at her. “What are you?”

She blinks. “W-what am I? What do you mean by that, Marlowe?” she asks in a sweet voice.

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