Page 71 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

It’s been two and a half weeks since I’ve heard from her.

She’s okay.

Probably.

Possibly.

Hopefully.

At the very least, I can’t think of a single reason a faerie would be using her phone to message me if she’s been spirited away for some unknown reason.

DaniBird153: My mom took my phone.

I pause halfway through a reply.

DaniBird153: I…I don’t know how to tell you this. A lot has been going on lately, and I’m overwhelmed.

DaniBird153: I’m tired, Zahra.

DaniBird153: More and more each day.

DaniBird153: I don’t know why I get up in the morning.

I tap out the only thing I can think to say.

CapyZahra: I’m here for you.

DaniBird153: I know. Sometimes, it feels like you’re the only one who is. I don’t have any other friends, Zahra. I feel so alone. All the time. And I think I’m going insane.

CapyZahra: You aren’t. I promise you aren’t. Please. Is there anything I can do to help?

My heartbeat trips over itself until my hands are shaking. Dani never talks like this. Ever. She’s always a sarcastic, bright spot in my streams and in our messages. I’m not certain how to put what I need to into words. If she is dealing with a faerie and thinks she’s going insane, I doubt I’ll be able to convince her over text that everything is okay. I could barely be a voice of reason in favor of magic when Kassandra was going through her doubts with Pollux and Andromeda.

God,please. I need the right words to say. Something. Anything. Help me give Dani some peace.

Slowly, my door opens, and Alexios looks in, at my computer screen, then at me clutching my phone. Our eyes meet, and he glides in to kneel in front of my chair, laying a steady hand on my arm. “Snowflake, what’s wrong?”

My head shakes. “I don’t know.”

And then…then I do.

Dani’s message sweeps in, like a tidal wave, and the words resonate in my soul, like memories of days gone by.

DaniBird153: I’m so scared I’m shaking. Something is wrong with me. I know it. It’s the only explanation I can come up with. I’m messed up inside, and I know that much, but things are messed up outside, too, and I’ve never been able to tell anyone before. I feel used, more than usual, and I’m panicking. I need to get out. I need to get away from my mom, but I don’t know how to. I don’t know where to go. I don’t understand why I’m never enough for her. I don’t understand why I can give everything I have and still not be enough for her, andstillhave her ask for more.

DaniBird153: I’m sotired, Zahra.

DaniBird153: And I don’t know what to do.

My swallow burns like acid. My eyes close, but the darkness only ushers in the things I’ve tried for years to escape.

CapyZahra: Are you safe?

DaniBird153: For now.

CapyZahra: How old are you?

DaniBird153: 23

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