Page 123 of The Tenth Muse

The sound is painful, I can feel it in my chest, like kindling growing into a burning flame. It pumps through my ventricles, coursing magma through my veins.

“Come back!” I cry, everything too foggy and fuzzy to make any clear sense of what’s happening to me.

All I can do is hold Chewie while she shakes, her leaves trembling while a song of pure agony echoes from her open trap. It’s only a minute or two but it feels far too long without her, the plants’ discomfort becoming my own, nearly disabling me as it crushes me to the ground.

I writhe, squirming and whimpering, tears streaming down the side of my face as they fall into my ears.

“Holy Hellebore,” America gasps at seeing me on the ground, “What happened?” she drops to her knees at my side.

“You left.” I groan, “Everything hurts.”

“Woah,” Her eyes get big, full of fear as she crawls back a few inches from us.

Chewie makes the same pained sound again, this time, America is the one who keels over from the torment. “Ah!” She cries, clutching her chest, “What is that?”

I pull her onto my lap, comforting her in what way I can, her body melting once she’s over me. America sobs from a pain too intense. I know only because my own has barely tempered. I lean my back against Chewbacca, shuddering and shivering through the dulling throb.

After a few minutes she finally speaks, her voice soft and weak, “I was locking the shop door.”

I squeeze her tighter, grateful that she had thought of it because the entire day has only been one distraction after another for me. “I don’t think she wants you to leave.” I laugh dryly, coughing through the pain.

“Well why’s she punishing you for it too?”

I shrug, “Hurt people hurt people?” I ask.

“I have an idea.” America says, “It may help. Might be worth a try?”

“I’ll do anything.” I’m desperate at this point.

Her breathing begins to slow, return to normal as the pain dissipates and she’s able to focus again. “Well, what if she justneeds nutrients? Like a fertilizer? To satisfy her cravings until she grows a new trap that can properly consume meals again.”

I sit upright, placing a kiss on her cheek, “You’re a genius!”

She grabs my wrist before I can leave the room, “I don’t think regular fertilizer is going to work for her.”

“Well, the store doesn’t really sell ‘enchanted-by-the-eclipse plant fertilizer’ so, I should start somewhere.” I’m debating how much I can trust her, but she’s the only person giving decent advice around here and if I don’t do something, Chewie is going to die. “I think maybe instead of feeding her…meat…maybe I just give her a liquified version?” I simplify as much as I can.

America nods energetically, “That’s brilliant! Do you need help?”

I chuckle, “I don’t believe that’s up to either one of us anymore. I thinkshe’scalling the shots right now.” I bite my lip, “I don’t want to call this a hostage situation, but it’s safe to say you aren’t going anywhere, America.”

“Meri, actually. You can call me Meri.” She looks back at Chewbacca, a dimple on a single cheek forms from a half-smile. “And you might be right.”

Just then a scowl forms over her face, her attention is pulled to her pocket where her phone vibrates. Meri looks at the name glowing on the screen and sighs, “It’s my father.” Every bit of lightness she brought into the store with her is now gone and replaced with something that stinks of fear, and anxiety.

She turns toward the door but Chewie’s whine stops her from leaving. Meri looks down at the phone in her hand, hesitating before answering. “Hi Daddy.”

“Where have you been?” I hear his unnecessarily loud voice coming through.

Meri clears her throat uncomfortably, “I had a job interview.”

“Two days ago.” He cuts in, “Is your location turned on? I’m coming to collect you.”

She stutters, unable to answer, all the color draining from her cheeks.

“America?” He calls for her, but she just stares at me with a vacant expression, “America!”

“T-two days?” She whispers words I know are meant for me.

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