Page 113 of Echoes of the Banshee

“I love you, Lazlo.”

I push myself to my feet, my legs stiff from the echoes of pain. I walk over to the wall, grab a Sharpie, blue today, and add another tally.

Forty-one down, fifty-seven left to find him.

I drag myself out of my room. Then through combat. Then the rest of my morning. Benson walks with me to the Otherfell.

“You okay, Thea?” he finally asks. Grabbing my elbow and pulling me off the path.

I give a pointed look at his hand and raise an eyebrow at him.

“What? You going to curse me for caring about you?” I pretend to debate it. He rolls his eyes. “What’s going on?”

“I took a dream potion last night.” I admit. I know he won’t get the full connotation but enough. “I’m just having a hard time with being awake.”

“You want to go back?” he asks. “Was it your parents?”

I probably should have used the memory potion to see my parents and now I feel like an ass. I shrug nonchalantly. Not confirming or denying.

“I just want some quiet.”

“I can respect that. But you need to eat,” he tells me. “You didn’t eat breakfast either.”

I hadn’t thought anyone had noticed. I glance at the dining hall, not in the mood. Benson follows my line of sight. He turns and digs in his bag and then proudly pulls out a protein bar. I raise an eyebrow.

“It’s only a few days old. Just eat it. I’ll feel better.”

“Damn goblins and their mothering instincts,” I complain, opening the protein bar and taking a bite. “Thank you.”

“Always,” he tells me then heads inside the dining hall. Letting the moment pass like it wasn’t important. I head towards my next class an hour early and sit outside Spiritborne Contracts reading a book.

My phone dings with a text from Zair.

Zair

You okay.

Benson is a narc.

Actually it was Dylan.

Damn, I must look like crap.

DO NOT CONFIRM THAT.

Well…

Hate you.

I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep well.

Ya. Me either. See you at the nook after soccer?

Coffee?

Deal.

Thea