Page 152 of Marks of Rebellion

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"I don't know. I've been in the jungle for about two months and on a mission several weeks before that."

"If you don't sleep, you'll crash. Why don't I give you some melatonin to help?"

"No. I need to be available for her."

"I don't believe she will wake up tonight. Sleep. This isn't going to be the hard part, and you need rest."

He leaves, and I think about what he says but tell myself I need to stay awake.

When I turn the lights out, I leave the balcony door open. Maybe it's the rocking of the ship or the fresh ocean air, but for the first time in what feels like forever, I fall asleep while holding my Flower in my arms.

I only sleep half the night, but it's enough to make me feel human again.

Morning light is creeping into the darkness when I feel her fingers on my cheek.

I tilt my head down. Her eyes flutter, and she whispers, "Are we dead?"

I blink hard but can't help the tear that escapes. "No, Flower. We aren't dead."

"Are you a ghost?"

"No, sweetheart."

"Am I a ghost?"

"No, baby." I kiss her forehead.

She strokes my cheek and wraps her arm tight around my waist. "So tired."

"Just rest, Flower."

She drifts back to sleep. I hold her tighter, praying I can take the parts of her that are broken and figure out how to piece them back together.

30

Hunter

Breakfast gets delivered,and Vanessa stirs but doesn't open her eyes. Since our brief conversation, she's been sleeping and hasn't cried.

"Flower."

"Hmmm?"

I sit on the bed next to her and stroke her cheek. "Can you wake up and try to eat something?"

"Fry jacks," she mumbles.

"What's that?"

"Food."

"Can you open your eyes?"

"Hmmm." She licks her lips.

"Are you thirsty?"

"Mm-hmm."

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