Page 26 of The Last Hope
Court grits out, “Franny—”
“I want to know these things,” she says from the core of her being. It grips me.
Rips me open.
Tries to cut me in three.I won’t be letting it. I won’t.
“I can’t bear the thought of walking away from these answers,” she professes. “Even if I’m indebted to someone for something. To this wart.” She gestures to the man-boy on her right.
He’s eyeing Franny with too much curiosity.
“A life lived without knowing where I came from, who I am,” she says, “it’ll tear at me every day. I would’ve searched for centuries for these answers. You know that? And someone isright hereoffering them to us. I can’t let that go.I can’t.”
I want to reach out.
Hold her hand.
Something.
Anything, but I’m left suffocating beneath her riled emotion. It’s always been Court and me. From the start, it was us, and it’s not fair to her—but I won’t be leaving him.
I can’t.
But I don’t want to leave her either.
I can’t.
My heart is already broken. I’m fearful of Court’s answer. He can be stubborn, and I’m not sure I can convince him otherwise.
Court’s face contorts, trying to shield her emotion.
It hurts feeling it.
But I think it’s supposed to hurt.
Franny doesn’t wait for Court. She sniffs loudly and asks the man-boy, “How many bills for the answers? I don’t have much…”
“You don’t have anything,” Court says like a real crank, but his remorse comes quick. Sinking in my gut.
Franny makes no qualms about his words.
His eyes sear the longer she ignores him.
The man-boy focuses on Franny. “Lucky for you, I’m not looking for money. I need your help with a mission. It’s the last one. If unsuccessful, the Earthen Fleet will have no choice but to go to war with Saltare.” He adds, “Earth is your rightful home, whether you’ve been there or not. You’re human. Protecting the planet is in your best interest.”
“We’re looking for a peaceful planet. Not a war zone,” Court shoots back.
I jump in, “We’re not fighting for a whole lot of people we’ve never met. Never known. Could be a whole lot of foul-mouthed goats.” Who said humans are worth fighting for?
Not I.
He looks me over with more bitterness. “I don’t give a shit what you want to fight for, whether it’s for your boyfriend or your religion.”
I laugh hard. He’s not so wise. “I have no Boy Friend.”
“Court is your boyfriend.”
My grin fades. “No.” I expel a gruff breath. “Court is more than just a friend.”
