NeverLost by Black Carmen

Author:Black, Carmen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scarlet Lantern Publishing
Published: 2023-09-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

The sun peaks above the trees as I return to my cot. The boys still sleep, several snoring all around as I drop into my cot. I will myself to sleep, yet my mind is wide awake, thinking of Tinker Bell, her capture, and her struggling to set herself free. By the time my eyes droop closed, the boys are already rising and preparing for the day.

I push myself up, stifling a yawn as I watch the boys roll the blankets, returning them to their place at the backside of the tent. My eyes hurt from not sleeping, and my entire body feels as if I'm carrying the whole world on my shoulders. I struggle to stand, nearly toppling over before quickly righting myself. My head sways, my stomach churning with unease. I bite back a groan, rubbing my temples while fighting the pull toward my bed.

"Are you all right, Molly?" Sky asks, his little face contorted with worry.

I force a smile, yet it feels like I'm grimacing at the boy. "Right as rain."

Sky's frown deepens, yet he says nothing to me as he passes, disappearing outside the tent. I follow him, discovering the moment I step into the sunlight that I made a terrible mistake. The light speckles my vision, and my ears ring. I feel as if I've fallen into the sea, unable to hear as well as I should, my body swaying like the waves of the ocean, rolling back and forth.

"Molly!" I hear Tiger Lily's sweet voice calling from ahead.

I struggle to smile, my grimace painful as I squint my eyes at Tiger Lily. She's holding a bowl, her other hand stirring a ladle in a pot over a fire. Several boys encircle her, shoving spoonfuls of broth into their sticky mouths.

"Are you hungry?" Tiger Lily asks, handing me a bowl full of meat and carrots swimming in a brown broth.

I swallow the bile rising up my throat, cursing myself for taking the bowl held out for me when I'm far from hungry. "Thank you," I murmur, taking my place on a stump near Tiger Lily.

Tiger Lily hums a soft tune as she stirs. The boys chatter amongst themselves, mainly discussing the fire dancers' performance the night before and the intricate flips of the acrobats. I try to listen, ignoring the guilt cloying at my ear, telling me I should leave now while I still have the chance. Nothing good will happen if I return with the lost boys.

I glance around the carnival, my gaze falling on Peter talking with Arrow and Shadow. Tinker Bell flutters around them, her golden sparkles making the grass at the boys' feet glimmer. Their expressions are serious for it being this early in the morning. Perhaps they discovered Freddie and Dylan. Maybe they have realized I'm a spy—a traitor.

God, I hope so; a strange voice sounds within, making me frown deeply at my own self-sabotage.

"All right, everyone!" Peter calls, stalking toward us with Arrow and Shadow following shortly after him.

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