Page 11 of Mortala
Had I not been punched in the mouth before, it might have knocked me off my feet.I stumbled back surprised, impressed she got one over on me.I’ll chalk it up to beginner's luck.I should have known better, especially after she had me fighting for my damn life in a hospital—my, how far we’ve come.
Once the shock faded, she took off.Tucked her tail like someone lit a fire under her ass, making a beeline to the women’s locker room to hide.
Honestly, I wish she wouldn’t do that.There’s nothing she can do that would scare me away—except maybe taking a foot to the face next time.
Most of the blood’s dry now, crusting around the inside of my nostrils—I’ve bled enough to know when it’s dangerous and when it’s not, and now is not one of those times.Between you and I, I wonder if I can persuade my hellion into nursing my swollen mouth.I could do it alone, yeah, but it’d be nice to have her fix what she broke.A learning experience.
I haven’t seen her in weeks; Mav’s keeping me busy on details requiring all of my focus.Thankfully I’m on R&R now—there’s nothing thrilling about following some prima donna from one country to the next.Not our usual gig, leaving the mainland USA, but she tossed a few extra bills into the mix to make it worth my while.
It was not worth my while.
I lean against my Denali 2500 HD and wait for her.It’s a gift I bought for myself and rarely get to drive.Usually, it’s parked here in a security facility, rather than Oregon where we’re based out of.The first couple of times I flew in, I was in a rental which cost just as much as a damn payment.To add insult to injury, rentals are harder to get a hold of at two a.m.Having my own truck makes coming and going less of a chore but worth it.
I’m impressed at how much she’s changed from the girl I carried out of that apartment years ago.A far cry from the youngin’ battling for survival and against her own mind.She fought for her sanity, her freedom, far harder than many soldiers I’ve had the honor of serving beside.Many of them?They pale in comparison to her strength.PTSD is no laughing matter, but they buckled under the weight of the sandbox while she’s lived her whole life with three extra things controlling her.
My girl could run circles around the boys at Cain Defenses too, drive Karson up the wall—like he deserves.Hell, half the folks her mom and dad did time with don’t compare.They have their psycho-ailments, yeah, but they simply can’t hold it together like Sunshine can.She’s a whole different kind of strong.
That’s why I can’t shake her, not that I’ve ever been able to.She’s the target I can never catch, the bogey that keeps chasing me through restricted airspace, the hostile that swings and apparently punches me in the damn mouth.
With some refinement, no one will get the drop on her again—add that to my to-do list.
I’m getting too old for this shit.
Hearing the gym door shut from where I’m leaning, I stand to my full height.Silly thing’s trying to dodge me like she didn’t try to make me smell sounds ten minutes ago.Turning, Sadie escapes for her apartment without so much of a glance.If she thinks she’s getting away that easy, she has another thing coming.
On her heels, her hasty steps slap against the now-wet pavement.It rained shortly after she stepped inside, which was what pulled me out of the truck.Drizzle obscured my sights, making it difficult to watch her expressions and gauge who I’d be dealing with tonight.
Sadie, just Sadie.Thank fuck.She’s the one I want, anyway.
Her pace picks up, likely feeling me close, then she nearly jets into a stride when I grab her elbow and pull her back to me.My other arm swiftly binds around her upper body so she won’t swing again.
“That was rude.You could've said goodbye.”
“Quite an assumption, Elias.Thinking it would be good.”She thrashes.
“Hmmm.Well, I’ll takebyeover nothing.”
Her weight shifts in my hold; I twist her around before she can lift her foot and drive it back into my knee.Old war injuries don’t like being donkey kicked all that much and I’ve had all the physical discomfort I can handle for the evening.
Without fully restraining her, I give her a quick once-over before focusing on her eyes.They’re enormous, both in how wide they are and the unforgiving black-holes of her pupils.
Medicated today, good.
“Easy, killer.I just want to walk you home.Can’t do that when you’re trying to run like some scared critter.”
“I am NOT scared.Thank you very much, and I don’t need you to walk me, I’m capable alone.”
“One punch to my kisser doesn’t make you capable.I know you can hold your own if pushed; point is, you don’t have to.Now, straighten up.I’m letting go.If you run, I’ll throw you over my shoulder like my ruck sack.”
“I will cut you in your sleep, you obsessive fuckwad.”
“Colorful language, Sunshine.I hope you do; gives me a reason to spank you.”
Her scoff brings a smile to my face.Sadie tries too damn hard to convince her family she’s not struggling, but I’ve watched her long enough to know she doesn’t sleep and she’s tried more pill brands than most people will in the bulk of their lives.I hate seeing her put up an impenetrable wall to keep herself safe—sucks for her, really.I’ve climbed walls, mountains, fences, and scaled down buildings for play.Dealing with her mote of malice isn’t going to stop me.
Doing as I warned, I release her and step to the side.With a quick tilt of my head, I motion for her to follow me to her place.She doesn’t at first, but she will.She’s a creature of habit and this is the only route she has—too late in the night for her to venture around and find an alternative.She might get spooked, and that bone-gnawing psychopath inside of her may come flying out and try to kill me again.
Street lamps, crosswalk lights, and traffic signals fill the dark with multi-colored glares.Star-like in how long spokes protrude out from a solid center.Squinting, I finally glance over and see her next to me, quiet as a mouse.She would have been a good soldier—maybe in another life.
