Leaving Tally in bed, each step heavier than the last, I direct Amara and Mabel into the hallway, gently closing the door behind us. Tally doesn’t need to hear the repeat of what she just witnessed.
I relay everything that happened, one citizen bringing the note to us, going behind the barbershop to find the bloody scene and the second note.
I watch as Amara’s face morphs from concern to anger toher Captain’s expression. The expression that means she’s about to bark out orders and get shit done. Once I’m done talking, she nods, takes a second to think, then comes the orders.
“Cyrus, stay with Tally, that's an order. Keep her safe. Mabel and I will head down to the barbershop and clean up the scene. I’ll find August and Mary and get them tracking. See if we can dig up anything.”
When I nod, they leave and I have to trust– and I know I can trust– that they’ll find something, anything, to give us a lead on what’s going on.
Exhaling is difficult.
Now I’m alone, everything comes crashing down.
For three months, everything was nothing. I couldn’t feel anything. Now that Tally is back in proximity to me, I can feel everything.
It’s a tsunami of emotions, so many feelings and thoughts. It’s not the time to be having a mental breakdown, but I can feel the waves of darkness seeping in. My chest gets tight, knees buckling under the weight of the world on my shoulders.
My body shuts down, even with me shoving the reminder at it that Tally needs me. Tally needs me and here I am falling apart because I’ve never been able to stop myself falling apart when I’m alone.
The world is a black fog around me, the feeling of numbness biting at my extremities. Heart a wild horse in my chest, deflating my useless lungs. Nothing is working in this pathetic body.
Until a door slams down the hallway. A far away voice wishing me good morning before walking away. The presence of someone being around, is enough to make my body subconsciously snap back online. My ever-longing need to protect my reputation, of being the stone-like first mate to the most ruthless pirate shipon the seas.
The tendrils of black rescind, even as my heart continues to race.
A minuscule piece of strength comes back, with the smattering of oxygen that's able to return to my battered lungs. Pushing off the wall on shaky legs, I inhale forcing air inside.
I’m a fortress and Tally needs me. Time to pick up the pieces and get moving.
With a look of determination, I open the door back up and step inside.
Chapter Thirty-Five
TALLY
After only one night here, Cyrus’s sheets don’t have her scent embedded within them just yet– but it’s still faintly there.
It’s there enough that once she steps out of the room to talk to Amara and Mabel, I don’t feel alone. Her scent, no matter how faint, makes me feel safe.
Slowly, my sobs ebb.
Tiredness weighing down on my bones. The last few months have been hectic and oppressive. The last few weeks have been a constant battle to not let my guard down. If I let my guard down, it meant I might miss something or someone will take advantage.
But that scent of open ocean– salty and wind-fresh– gives me the sense of security I’ve been missing since she left months ago.
Sinking into the mattress, I’m tempted to let exhaustion win and fall asleep. However, Cyrus is still outside. As much as I feel safe in just her faint scent, I need her close, in sight. Just as a sense of security– nothing else.Definitely for nothing else.
How long does it take to tell the story to two people?
Has she left me here on my own?
I really, really fucking hope not.
Flashes of blood rear their ugly head behind my eyelids. Words written in dark red, depicting their threats. Unsigned parchment. A villain parading around my island in disguise.
Have they managed to gain any ground?
Do others agree with them? Are they just waiting for the villain to off me?
