“And you absolutely would be in danger. We don’t know what Connell will try to do with you if he catches you. Plus, it’s entirely possible that your immortality has limits that we’re unaware of,” said Cat.

“Or that certain ways of dying affect you differently than others,” added Bluebell.

Image: A close-up of Bluebell from the shoulders-up. He has a concerned expression. End description.

“Yes- What happened with the Consumption in the first place. Or when it started breaking,” even Yuli chimed in, speaking in Julia’s voice as per usual.

Following the attack, Phoebe had remained content until she woke up on the couch and began retching before her head could leave the pillow. She’d run into the half bath in the hallway and retched until her body got the message that her organs were back in their proper places. Then she vomited. Cat and Julia led her upstairs. They only asked if she was alright. She hadn’t known.

Looking around at the members of Quill, she still didn’t know. Phoebe had been content because the bond hadn’t fully broken. Because Silver went back to her instead of killing anyone else. At the time her thoughts were so far away from the person he had killed. Just then, right in front of her. The mug of hot tea burned her palms. His corpse had been sprawled out just yards from her own; in the moment it’d been so easy to forget.

Image: Phoebe from the shoulders-up. She’s looking down, her face screwed in a frustrated expression. Behind her, part of the dining room is visible. End description.

“You’re all putting yourselves in danger too! I-” she couldn’t say that she’d enjoyed being chased. Quill would never take her seriously, “I really want to help. And I feel like I keep messing up. But I know I can do better.”



-

3.6.2024
-

This is a multi-page update! Head to page 4 for author comments.