Page 34 of The Girl Who Only Died Once

It’s a different sort of prison, the sort that anchors her body to the bed with just blankets, tugs her deep into staying in one place. To where all she can do is breathe out her nose and stare hard at the ceiling and promise herself that she’s not being kept captive, just that staying in one place is the smartest decision.

And this is just for a night. Just until the crazy Wight magic is satisfied that she’s rested enough to push forward.

She got over it, back in the cabin, as it slowly transformed from a hiding place to a home, but it took time. Took time for her to unpack her suitcase, even if she left a go-back easily available. Took time for her to trust that each time her door closes, she’ll be able to open it again.

And still, the piece of paper reads blank, no matter how much Chloe flicks it.

So instead, she flops over on the bed, pulling her phone to her.

CHLOE (6:22 AM): Still alive. Didn’t you grow up near Jerome?

DELINA (6:25 AM): Prescott, which is close enough, I guess.

CHLOE (6:25 AM): Is everything country western themed?

DELINA (6:26 AM): Yes, absolutely...Good whisky bars.

Chloe attempts to snuggle with the pillow, but it’s not nearly as good as hanging out with friends, as comfortable as the couch in the cabin.

CHLOE (6:28 AM): Ask Maison if he knows of any demons in the area. I haven’t got his phone number in here yet.

Immediately, her phone rings, and Chloe silences it out of sheer habit, her heart suddenly jumping.

CHLOE (6:29 AM): Can’t take a call! Just text!

DELINA (6:29 AM): Congrats, you just got both Ambra and Maison super upset.

Which means that whatever messaging the Wight got to Zoel, it hadn’t filtered to them.

CHLOE (6:31 AM): I had one encounter with a demon and all he did was knock me out for a few hours and teleport me out of the way.

It’s something akin to throwing a hornet’s nest into a train, but she figures Delina would have the best reaction to these things.

DELINA (6:34 AM): Ambra says “nice of him” and stomped off. Maison’s asking if you feel hungover or not.

Finally, information. If Chloe could have an entire world where people approached problems like Delina did, she’d be a hell of a lot happier.

CHLOE (6:35 AM): No hangover, no issue with lingering effects. Just got me out of the way like I was a nuisance.

DELINA (6:36 AM): sounds about right. Stay safe, use the gun, Bobby D’s is good. If you get out okay and drive up, I might ask you to stop by our old apartment and get some clothes, but Maison says that’s a bad idea.

Again, finally a reaction Chloe can deal with.

CHLOE (6:38 AM): Deal. I’m gonna go into some silver mines and I’m jazzed about that.

DELINA (6:39 AM): Lol they’re tourist traps.

CHLOE (6:40 AM): Not the one I’m going to.

She thumbs over to her browser, looking up the restaurant, and it’s about a fifteen-minute walk away from the entrance to the silver mine.

A perfect after-mission spot.

DELINA (6:45 AM): Do you think your friend will be in there?

The answer to that is no, she got moved around too often, but again, clues and traces can be found.

But also it appears that Gurlien has at least explained the issue with them, why she’s searching, lifting that responsibility from her.

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