Page 146 of Forbidden Protector

Oh my god, I’m high? How did that happen? I’m supposed to be clean right now. What will Aimee think of me?

“Number two,” Kate holds up my second finger. It looks like a peace sign. “You can’t say another word.”

I’m not saying anything. I’m just thinking things out loud.

“Okay, so number two also means you can’t think out loud either.” She wiggles my second finger like it’s waving.

“Don’t fall asleep, don’t make a sound,” I parrot back because I have a great memory.

“Perfect.”

“Don’t fall asleep, don’t make a sound.”

“Okay, quiet now.”

Don’t fall asleep, don’t make a sound.

“No thinking out loud, remember?”

Oh yeah.

She opens the door, and we step into a hallway. I have literally never been here before. Maybe I got drunk or something because I have no idea how I got here. Everything looks really boring as if a grandma has bought and arranged all the furniture.

Kate is really quiet, so I’m also really quiet. She flies us down the corridor like she’s Peter Pan or something. It’s kinda impressive.

Suddenly, we stop, and it feels like she’s hit the brakes, and we squish into a little tiny corner.

Blondie gives me a peace sign. That’s really cute.I give her one back. Peace!

Kate wiggles her two fingers like she’s waving.

Don’t make a sound. I remember. I show her my two fingers to prove I remember.

Kate smiles, and someone walks by.

I turn to look at them, but Kate’s hand pushes my head back to her. Her eyes are really blue.

Then we’re moving again. This time, it’s less like flying, more like…

The clock tower is pretty high up. I think if I jumped from the top, I could fly a pretty long way. Even across the murky-colored carpet below.

Wake up, Roisin. What’s rule number one?

Don’t fall asleep. The hallway got longer. Or maybe it’s a different hallway.

Why are we here again? Sleeping is easier, and I can’t feel my legs anymore.

BANG.

The sound echoes through my skull. A woman shrieks in pain.

Oh no, is Kate hurt? She was okay a few seconds ago.

“I’m fine. I’m right here,” Kate whispers as we walk toward the light. The door with the light on behind it.

The next room is warm. A crackling fire fills my ears. It’s nice and cozy.

In the cozy chair is my mother. Mother Eda. I’ve missed her so much. There’s so much I want to tell her about, my brother and my sister and my new friend Kate and–

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