shijingtch

@@@@@ My heart beat fasterHad she noticed that my pack, once flat, was now bulging? ?Be more careful, dear,? she said, and patted my armNo more hikes in the dark She smiled and went back to her desk I kept my pace even as I walked through the parking lotWhat if the Healer looked in her cabinets? How soon would she realize why they were half empty? The car was still there, in the pocket of darkness created by a gap between streetlightsMy breath came fast and unevenOf course it should look emptyThat was the whole pointBut my lungs didn't calm until I could glimpse the vague shape under the blanket on the backseat I opened the door and put the backpack on the passenger seat?it settled there with a reassuring clatter?then I climbed in and shut the doorThere was no reason to slam the locks down; I ignored the urge ?Are you okay?? Jared whispered as soon as the door was closedHis voice was a strained, anxious rasp ?Shh,? I said, keeping my lips as still as I could I drove past the bright entrance and answered Cerulean's wave with one of my own ?Making friends?? We were on the dark roadNo one was watching me anymoreI slumped in the seatMy hands started to shakeI could allow that, now that it was overNow that I'd succeeded ?All souls are friends,? I told him, using my normal volume ?Are you all right?? he demanded again I stretched my left arm across my body, so he could see the tiny pink lin