Tangled

192

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192 Ava: Mom's Legacy (V)

The hospital is eerily quiet, our steps echoing through the halls. Visiting hours are long over, and night shift reigns.

Vanessa is unfazed by the creepy quality of the place at a late hour, but I jump when the elevator dings, signalling its arrival in front of

1. us.

"You okay?" she asks, concern knitting her brows.

Selene-who's finally out from beneath my bed, though she refuses to talk about why she avoided me for the rest of the day- leans against my leg in silent comfort. "It's just so quiet. I'm not used to hospitals without people bustling around."

There's a giant machine coming down the hall in our direction, cleaning the floor with whatever algorithm powers its movement.

I always wondered how hospitals kept their floors so clean. I guess everything's automated these days.

Vanessa nudges me onto the elevator, pressing the button for my mom's floor before we've all even made it in.

Four bodyguards flank us. Massive overkill, considering that there isn't much we're expecting to happen on this visit.

Still, Lucas-and Jericho-are taking no chances on my safety.

Marcus, at least, is getting a break, and a new guy seems to be the one to shadow me for the night. He's a little short, but his eyes are black and intense, and I wouldn't want to be found in an alley with him in the dark.

•

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log Ave Mom's Legacy (V)

He smells like death, Selene says. To me, such words are atrocious, like I should avoid the person. To her? She speaks as though she

admires him.

And that's a good thing?

Selene's ears flick toward me, and I can feel her side-eye even without her eyes moving. He is a capable guard. This is a good thing. Right. I guess that's true.

seem on edge," Vanessa murmurs, looking straight forward as the elevator numbers change

thinking about my mom, or her

are really, really hard to

presses close to my side, her warmth a small

same as the last, and yet it feels as though we're going in the wrong

move her?" I ask, confusion

at me, a strange smile playing on her lips. "They had to make some adjustments for her

guards take up positions outside,

suffocating.

of machines filling the silence.

checks the IV bags hanging beside the bed, her movements

of the bed, my eyes drawn to the frail figure beneath the sheets. The sight of

she looks so much smaller, her

not long

murmurs, her voice tinged with something I can't

resignation.

I've always associated with her. But when they land on me, they sharpen, a glare that pins me in place. "You must have come

voice thin and brittle.

hits me like a physical blow, but

nothing.

finally giving up. The vitriol in her eyes never fades, though. "To

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Ava: Mom's

that sound is vile, coming

their daughter so much that even

yet you're here, aren't

tiny vial filled with clear liquid. "We're about to give you something for your agitation." "I wouldn't

I'm trying not to flinch at the words she throws my way,

Don't let her bait

a cornered animal. She scurries out, leaving an unsettling silence in

the clear liquid into the syringe, Selene's voice

hollow comfort, but, I'll take

spilling from her lips. Her features, once soft and

Ava: Mom's Legacy

twisted with loathing. It's

and her laughter was infectious. She'd pull me into her lap, tickling me until I was