Imprint by Madeline J. Rose

Author:Madeline J. Rose [Madeline J. Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inklings LLC
Published: 2022-07-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Paige woke with a start, a soft melody playing in her ear. She sat up, stretching, and tugged the earbuds from her ears. Outside, the sky had just begun to dim, and she could smell teriyaki chicken grilling downstairs. She hadn’t eaten anything all day. Her stomach growled.

She shut her music off and slunk downstairs, the smell of chicken growing stronger the closer she got.

Almost too strong.

She sniffed the air.

Something’s burning.

Taking the steps two at a time, she zipped down the rest of the stairs and into the kitchen.

No dragon this time, only some slightly burnt chicken. Paige turned the heat off and took the pan off the burner, scanning the room for her mother.

“Paisley!” Paige called upstairs. “Where’s Mom?”

“I’m right here, Paige.”

Paige whipped toward the voice, following it to the hallway where the landline phone was. Her mother stood, clutching the phone, face pale.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” A dash of worry powdered Paige’s thoughts. Is it Markus?

“Dad.”

Paige froze. A deafening ache pounded in her chest. “What?”

“He’s being rushed to the hospital.” The quaver in her mother’s voice made Paige shudder. She felt tears prick at her eyes. “I need to go with him.”

“But Mom—”

Her mother sucked in a breath. “Watch Paisley, please, and finish your dinner—”

“I don’t want to be watched!” Paisley sobbed, suddenly appearing from the living room. “Take me with you.”

“You’re not seriously leaving me and Paisley here?” Paige grabbed her mother’s shoulder, clenching it tightly.

Her mother gave a weak smile. “I trust you to keep Paisley safe. I don’t know what’s happening, but I need you to take care of her.”

I can’t.

I can’t.

All the doubt and anxiety she had shoved down for the past day came gushing back, ugly and fierce. Paige let go of her mother’s shoulder.

“I am not staying here,” Paisley snapped, her voice warbling. “Dad needs to see us.”

Paige wiped at the tears slipping down her cheeks. “I can’t…I can’t just stay here…I need to see Dad. Please…”

Her mother hesitated, staring at Paige, then Paisley. “Then get ready. We’re going now.”

* * *

The drive to the hospital was silent. The sun was a semicircle on the horizon, the sky lit up in soft oranges and pinks. It should’ve been peaceful, tranquil, but the quiet sky did nothing to steady Paige’s buzzing nerves.

A cramp formed in her hand from Paisley gripping it so hard. Paige had to shake it a few times to let her sister know she was hurting her.

The hospital loomed in the distance, one of the biggest buildings in the city. It was a dull brown color, except for one side, where some hooligans had graffitied the whole wall, spraying the words “We’re not okay” among other interesting phrases and images, in incredible detail. It had happened a few years ago, and the hospital hadn’t removed it since then. Instead, they openly stated they liked it, and planned on keeping it there.

Doesn’t exactly instill confidence.

They reached the glass door, and her mother shoved it open, dragging the two girls in with her.

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