Verum (The Nocte Trilogy 2)

Then falling.

Finn looks away, his blue eyes pained.

“You weren’t in your right mind. You chased something over the cliffs.”

I’m astounded, frozen. “I jumped off the cliffs?”

The boy in the hood.

I remember now, and my eyes grow wide.

“You’ve had a mental break, Calla. You were supposed to be recovering at Whitley, recovering from losing us. But a lot happened, and your mind just couldn’t bend any more.”

My chest feels shaky as I breathe, and I look around my hospital room. Two chairs, a table, a clock. A dry erase board that reads Your nurse today will be Ashley. A stack of books, a pillow, a blanket.

Dare isn’t here.

I miss him.

I need him.

He pulled me from the insanity. I know that much is true.

My mind played trick after trick after trick, but Dare stuck by me until the end.

I take another drink, and glance at the clock.

5:35.

Finn talks to me, about dad, about mom, about the funerals, about life.

“And the priest.” Finn pauses. “A priest took you under his wing. He was here to visit you several times.”

I blink.

“Was his name Father Thomas?”

Finn nods slowly. “How did you… never mind. He came to visit you a lot. The last time he… he gave you the Last Rites, Calla.” His voice breaks off and he looks away.

Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.

I remember.

They all thought I was going to die.

Did Dare?

6:02.

Ashley comes back to say that the doctor had been delayed, but she’d be here soon.

Finn chats aimlessly, and I listen, but not really.

6:25.

The door opens, and my heart leaps, thinking it’s Dare.

It’s not.