Page 293 of Mayhem and Minnie

I smile at the thought.

We reach the shore and I get out first, then help Minnie too.

“That way,” I tell Minnie as I spot a sign that matches the one on the map.

We only take a few steps, though, when I’m hit by a debilitating headache. I groan aloud as I rest my arm against a tree to get my bearings together.

“Marlowe?” Minnie frowns. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” I mumble.

I try to look at her, but my vision is clouded. I reach for her, blinking repeatedly.

“You don’t look well,” she says, worried.

“I don’t feel w-well,” I barely get the words out when my knees buckle and I fall to the ground.

39

“Marlowe?” Minnie’s asks in a panicked voice.

I force my eyes open.

“What happened?” I croak.

“I don’t know. You passed out,” she murmurs, gently touching my face. “You’re warm to the touch too.”

“I feel warm,” I mention and try to get up.

My head still hurts, and I feel a debilitating weakness in my limbs. But I manage to get to my feet without falling again.

Minnie regards me with a worried look.

“Here,” she says, cutting her wrist. “Drink some of my blood. Maybe you caught one of your human colds.”

“Maybe.”

I grab her wrist and bring it to my lips, then suck on her blood.

Before, this had an immediate effect on my body. Now? Not so much.

“Are you good to continue walking? We could rest a bit longer until you feel better.”

“No. I’m good,” I lie. “We need to go now before those soldiers track you. With our luck, they’re probably not far behind.”

“Are you sure? You’re a little pale,” she whispers.

I nod tightly. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”

She grabs my arm, almost as if she’s suspecting I might topple over if I don’t have any support.

I force my legs to keep moving, but it’s a struggle.

What the fuck is happening to me?

I was completely fine just moments ago.

We walk for a few more minutes before we’re forced to stop again. I’m breathing hard, and my chest feels constricted.

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