26. Sharkie
Date: 5-17-2024
Time: 0356
A hard slap to the face has my hand wrapping around the closest thing I can find. My skin burns and my throat constricts to swallow.
How long was I out for?
“Damn girl, open your eyes.”
Prying my eyes open, I find Karma red-faced with a shit-eating grin, crouched beside the bed with her finger to her lips. The tv buzzes with soft noise and soft light from the moon dips through the large windows shimmering off the sea onto the ceiling. She acts as if it doesn’t even phase her that I hold her life in my hands. I flex my hand around her throat.
“You’re just as insane as them. Cuddling with a corpse?” She covers her mouth to stifle her laugh. “Now come on, we need to leave. The plane is waiting, and I don’t want to be a part of the firework show Dutton planned.”
Irritation bubbles in my stomach as I lose my grip, letting her drop to the floor. It’s logical, wiping the entire base. That’s the whole reason I didn’t kill Tide in the first place, I didn't want anyone to take his rank and start all over.
I slowly remove Caspian’s limp arm from my waist, gripping hard enough to feel for a pulse, making a show of throwing back on the bed so she wouldn’t check my work like some twisted teacher. I hate the way Karma's hair looks like fire against the backdrop of the waves rolling, it hits too close to home and makes me want to roll back over and find safety in the only thing that ever felt real. Sliding to the edge of the bed I glance at my boots but quickly avert my eyes before Karma can catch the motion as she brushes invisible dirt from her dark jeans.
I don't need them.
Maybe this will all be over soon. The war will be done and if I survive, I might be able to fix my broken brain and live the life I want. Sucking in a quiet breath, I step towards the door, realizing that I made my decision on where I belonged before I even recognized it. My footsteps are quiet compared to her boot-covered ones as we move down the hall.
“So, he’s here?” Glancing around the hall I look for any sign of life, only to find none. Think, Sharkie, what are you going to do? I know Dutton’s going to be pissed even if I’ve finished my job.
“You think we’d let you ruin everything? Of course, he is. Don’t be stupid.” She glances up at the corner of the hall as she speaks. I take a breath, rounding another bend through the door to the courtyard. I’m tired and everything hurts from the inside out. Waves crash in the distance and if I listen close enough, I can hear the soldiers bickering on top of the wall. I wish I would’ve got the chance to see the world from up there.
We keep to the shadows towards the large opening, but I don’t miss the light catching a certain blonde walking to the top. Once on the sand, I take a deep breath and look around. It’s darker and more gloomy tonight, giving the beach an eerie feeling. The air sticks to my skin, creating a slimy texture.
“When did you become so psychotic?” I redirect, wrapping my arms around each other to fight off the chill. Her elbow wraps into my own and she lets out one of those dramatic sighs I hate.
“You didn’t think you were always Dutton's favorite, did you?” She pulls me along, making my feet sink into the cool sand and my head reel. I always assumed she joined our faction late. I never thought of where she came from or her prior accomplishments, but that begs the question of where the hell she went in that time frame. Dutton never let me leave or stop moving so why did she get to?
I hum in understanding.
We walk across the beach to another lining of fences, then behind a large building. I’ve hardly ever gotten out of the base, so it’s not unusual that I have no clue where the hell we are. A small cargo plane flashes its lights, showing Karama where it’s at. Just like before, the only emotion I can feel is rage. It’s almost as if I’ve reverted to the monster, they made me to be. I never realized until now how much I hate the version of myself.
“Wait.” I plant my feet to where she can’t pull us any further. “Did you know it was him? At the fair–on that mission. Did you know it was him ?”
The words are hardly out of my mouth before she’s already answering with a shrug. I should’ve known she wouldn’t give me anything to work with.
“You should stop asking questions.” Karma moves behind me as we approach the loading bridge.
A soldier steps to the side of the stairway. I hit the top, and a powerful scent of cologne hits my nose, making me cough. My body tenses like the smell can trigger everything I’ve endured in the past. Lives flash before my eyes that I’ve taken and my parents’ voices ring in my ears. Seats line the walls with chest straps buckled in the empty areas. Multiple cargo containers sit at the back strapped to the floor, creating an undertone of cedar and ammunition.
“You came more willingly than I thought you would, Cordi.”
Breathe, think . Depth is fucked, but so is Bay. There are so many missing puzzle pieces leaving me stuck. The only persistent jagged piece is the man looking at me. The soldier from outside the plane steps behind me while Karma takes her place beside me.
“You did good.” He flattens his hand over his tie as he stands. My arms instinctively wrap behind my back to find Caspian’s blade tucked securely below my waistband. Dutton doesn’t get to torture me anymore. Unlike Daymen and the Ocean, Tide taught me I hold the power to think on my own.
Dutton sucks the back of his teeth, studying me from head to toe.
“I would’ve been better if my ship wasn’t sunk.”
“Ah, yes, that was a sad inconvenience.”
I scoff, shaking my head. Inconvenience. Right. My hands tighten together at my back. There’s no need for me to be nervous.
“Well, if you wouldn’t have made dumb ass relationship comments then it wouldn’t have–” Karma's words cause my head to jerk in her direction at the same time as Dutton shoves her into the side of the plane by her throat.
“Two goddamn ships, Karma. I can’t keep cleaning up your fuck ups.” Dutton clears his throat, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye before stepping back. My nostrils flare in Karmas’ direction. Her ? Sinking my teeth into my cheek hard enough, I can taste blood. If I was sunk simply because I remarked on her and Dutton being together, then what was her reason for my parents?
We didn’t sink your ship’s siren. Tides voice whispers in my ear, taunting me with the fact I could never accept.
All this time, she was right under my nose. For once, my brain finally feels like it’s on its own track. Thinking in a way any normal person would and not in a way I was taught.
“Two?” My voice is calm, but the blood that rushes through my veins says the complete opposite. Dutton groans, pushing off Karma.
“Karma's training didn’t go as well as yours. Somewhere along the way something broke in her dense head. Thus, ending in her temper getting the best of her. I believe it’s because she’s my child so she has that rebellious side that can’t be fixed.” Dutton states casually. He steps towards me, but I step back, bumping into the soldier. I’m such an idiot. How did I miss that? Glancing between them, I can see the storm brewing in their eyes both dark and gray and the chisel of their jaws matching.
He’s too close, I’m trapped between his body and another. Each breath Dutton takes fans against my features, making me bite back a gag.
“Yours, however.” He pauses, letting out a proud laugh. “I made something impeccable out of you. We could’ve been great, Cordi. Stationed men and women in every country, the world would’ve learned who was in charge.” He shakes his head and glances at Karma, who turns her back on me to head to the front of the plane.
“What are you talking about?”
“Shhh, it’s okay. I can still clean up the mess you created. You might have to spend a few years in the facility but look at Karma—it helps.” Dutton purrs, brushing a stray hair from my face to tuck it behind my ear. All along I was manipulated, but not by the side I thought. My breathing shallows and bile rises in my throat. Caspian . I should’ve trusted him from the beginning.
I gather saliva under my tongue before letting it spew across his face.
“Detain her.” He calls out, brushing his thumb across his cheek, waving his hand dismissively, and turning his back to me. The men crowd around, making my heart race. I’ve been in worse situations; I’ve fought harder battles. It’s just more blood on my hands but I can live with that because I will live for him.
Okay, breathe .