Page 178 of Offside

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That sound was seriously annoying, but at the same time seemed somewhat important. My head continued to pound at my temples, and I pried my eyes open long enough to reestablish that I was on the floor of my closet, lying amongst a pile of crayons with the edge of my laptop up against my nose.

Meow! Meow! Meow!

The laptop was flashing.

BeautifulSkye18 is online.

Rumple!

I moved my hand from my side and touched the keyboard. I tapped the square at the bottom twice and a little window appeared. My eyes started to close again, and my head felt heavy even though I was still lying on the floor.

I had to stay awake.

NeedMyRumple: need u

My fingers kind of locked up on me, and I could taste bile in my throat. I swallowed.

BeautifulSkye18: oh Thomas—I need you too! Dad is trying to work something out. He said it could take a day or two, though.

Ugh. I shook my head and took a deep breath.

NeedMyRumple: now pls

BeautifulSkye18: I want to—I do, but your dad won’t let me in the door!

My fingers shook as I tried to tap on the keyboard.

NeedMyRumple: hes ded

BeautifulSkye18: what?

NeedMyRumple: cooime now pleadse

BeautifulSkye18: Thomas—what do you mean?

Thomas?

Thomas! Answer me! What do you mean? Dead? Is your dad dead???

THOMAS!!!

I’m coming, baby—hang on. Dad too. We’ll be there ASAP

I could still see the screen, but it looked blurry, and my fingers were no longer functioning. I closed my eyes and was encompassed by darkness.

I could hear someone calling my name, but it was like hearing something while you’re under water. I tried opening my eyes, but they just didn’t want to cooperate. Slowly, the sounds seemed to get closer, and then I could actually make out the words.

“Thomas? Thomas? Oh my God…Dad!! He’s up here!!”

Footsteps…someone’s hand on my arm. My arm jerked a little…reflexive…involuntary. More words—muffled and distant—then another voice nearby.

“Thomas? Can you hear me, baby?”

That sound…that voice. I knew that voice.

“Rumple…”

“It’s me, Thomas.”

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