Page 75 of Maverick

“Love you too, Joker.”

I turned and placed my hands on the window sill. Closing my eyes, I took a second to focus. It hurt to take so many deep breaths, but I needed to calm my nerves. I pushed off and started to fall. Opening my eyes, I could see the ground getting closer.

I landed on my leg and heard a snap. Slapping my hand over my mouth, I covered my scream so nobody could hear. My head bounced off the ground and I started to see stars. I looked up and saw Joker staring down. I shakily gave him a thumbs up and he threw a blanket down.

I grabbed it and started to hop toward the woods.

Joker said the shed wasn’t too far away. I started to feel woozy and leaned up against a tree to center myself. All of a sudden, a nauseous wave came over me and I turned my head to the side. Puke came flying out and covered the rock next to me.

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” I shook my head and pushed on.

I just have to make it to the shed. That’s it. Shed. Shed. Shed.

I started to lose my train of thought and couldn’t remember where I was.

What I am looking for? Why am I in the woods? Where are my clothes?

“The shed!” A small wooden structure appeared before me and I started to remember why I was here...a little. I ran into the shed and laid down. Wrapping the blanket around me, I tried taking some deep breaths to calm my body down.

The breaths hurt and I started to cry. The salty tears stung the cuts and scrapes on my face. Rustling in the woods made me perk up and stifle the tears.

The rustling was getting closer and I could hear it right outside the open door. I was hunkered down in the corner, ready to attack with the small amount of muster I had.

Orion appeared in the door and I started to sob with joy. “Oh, Orion!” He ran to me and buried his head in my chest. “Oh, boy. I’m so glad you’re here. You need to go get Maverick though, buddy. Joker needs his help. I don’t think he has much backup here.”

Orion licked my face and nuzzled his little nose into the blanket. I pulled the blanket closer to me and leaned down. “You can do it, Orion. Please. I need help.”

He barked once and looked out the door. He slowly made his way out and turned back to whine. “I’ll be okay. Just go get help, Orion. I can’t last much longer here by myself.”

Orion whined one last time before running out the door. I knew he would find Maverick no matter the distance. I just hoped they would show up soon or that Joker came to find me quickly.

I started to feel dizzy and laid down on the old wood floor. My eyes started to close and I stopped fighting it.

Please let somebody find me before it’s too late.

Chapter Twenty-Four

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