I’d been glaring at these two bellend guards for so long my eyes hurt. I’d forgotten I wasn’t wearing a top under my cardigan, but they’d noticed straight away. Dickheads. Alive for however long and still don’t know how to be respectful. I leaned back; head resting against the wall and sighed. Now all I can do is wait. *** I startled awake; no idea what had woken me. I blinked the sleep from my eyes and looked around. My two ‘guards’ were fast asleep – mouths wide open – snoring like grumpy old men who’d drunk too much down the pub. I should take this opportunity! I stood up to make my way over to the door and almost tripped over a bottle and pork pie lying on the floor. What? ‘Be ready’ a note on the pie read. This must be Lise? Why didn’t she get me out now?! It seems like the perfect opportunity! Fuck. Is this a trap? I’m not eating or drinking any of this. I sat down on the bench and hid the bottle and pie next to me. It really did look like Lise’s writing. And

“Ras?”  “I don’t know”  “What just happened Ras?”  “I don’t know”  “Your eyes were fucking blue Ras! Sulphur blue! What the fuck does that mean?!”  “I. Don’t. Know!” I yelled, slamming the steering wheel for emphasis.   “I don’t know what the fuck just happened Lars – I told them to stop, and they did. We needed to escape, and we did. That’s all I know. Doesn’t seem like a bad thing though, does it?” 

“Help!”  Lars called as we entered the nearest human hospital.  I wanted to go to the next one, one borough over, where I have people I can trust, but Lars wasn’t sure Leda would make it, and ultimately that won out.  “What’s wrong with her?” a nurse came running toward us “She’s very sick!” Lars answered and the nurse raised an eyebrow "Exactly what is wrong with her?" She turned to me in question.  "For fucks'

Where the fuck is that infernal thing?! Why is someone calling me at two in the morning?! Who is calling me?! I didn’t recognise the number. Odd. “Hello?” “Is this – Is this, er, Rasmus?” a woman asked “Yes. Who is this?” “Oh!” she sniffed; was she upset? “Mr Rasmus – I – It's Ms Kirk!” “Leda?!” I interjected “What’s happened? Is she all right?!” I hauled myself out of bed and started throwing clothes on. “It’s Stefanie – the, er – the nurse from the hospital. I heard screaming. I heard Leda screaming.” She started to sob. Fuck. “Stefanie? Stefanie? Can you tell me why she was screaming? Why have you called me? Is everything all right?” I tried to keep my tone calm and even, but no one calls someone crying in the middle of the night because everything is fine. I should have installed someone there! “I thought – I thought she was having a nightmare. I – I called you because she asked me to. I went in to see what was happening. T- to see if I could wake her. But-"

Don’t panic Rasmus. I muttered in my head over and over. Since Brandt had uttered those words, I could feel my breathing start to seize...I reminded myself that I don’t need to breathe. It’s not that bad, it’s not that bad. My eyes flicked to Lars who was bent over Leda, checking her over. At least he’s with her. I might be useless – again – right now, but at least she’s got someone in her corner. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve let Leda down. Brandt was chuntering on at me. Rambling like a maniac; I tried to tune him out and focus on trying to burn this poison out of my system. It doesn’t seem to be having the impact I thought it would... I can wiggle my toes now. This cunt. How much did he use to paralyse my people?! My friends?! I tried, and failed, to clench my jaw – I could feel the rage burning through me as I failed to tune him out. “I’ve seen how you look at her” he sneered “You’re nothing but a love-struck fool!” He kicked me in the knee, somehow, I