The Light in Us

18. Fallon

18

Fallon

I trudge along, my feet heavy on the sidewalk.

At my hacking cough, an older male skitters away, giving me a dirty look. My cheeks flush. “Sorry.”

It comes out as a rasp, and I wince.

My throat hurts. My whole body hurts.

The house was empty when I got up this morning. They’d already left, several bills left on the side with a scrawled note to remind me to get a receipt.

As if I could ever forget.

Just like I won’t forget the look in Ellis’s eyes when he switched the shower on. There was glee there as he watched the cold water hit me.

He’s never done anything like that before.

They’ve never… hurt me. But last night felt close to it.

Too close.

I have to get out. And to get out, I need this job.

I just hope Teddy can overlook the mess I’m in. My hair is clean and tidy, but my dress is the same one I was wearing yesterday.

Ellis picked the wrong week to ruin my entire wardrobe.

I reach a busy intersection and glance down to double-check the address in my hand. As I look up, a building opposite catches my eye. The statue raised outside, gaudy and huge and gold, would be enough, but it’s the tall, gilded letters across the front of the gothic architecture that make me stop, my brows drawing together in consternation.

Wordsmiths.

I stare at it for several long seconds, until somebody bumps into me, their irritation clear as I block the crossing. Quickly, I dart across, shooting small glances over the road as if the words will change.

It looks… huge. Successful.

Far more successful than I realized.

Just a start-up , Rory had told me with an apologetic wince. Not much money in it.

I’ve never seen their building before. But it doesn’t look like a start-up.

My hand drops down to my small, slightly battered bag, where my grocery money is kept.

I have to count every damn penny, and they own this?

I swallow the hurt down, force the unwelcome thoughts away. I have no space for them in my head today. And if my growing suspicions are right, then it’s even more of a reason to get away from them.

I stay on the other side of the road until I’m well past their building before I cross over.

The Ink & Quill building is on the same street. It’s quiet, understated, sheets of darkened glass behind a small, calligraphic sign.

Taking a breath, I pause.

I can do this.

Teddy invited me here. They’re not exactly going to throw me out.

I take another breath before I step into the revolving doors.

The lobby on the other side is a hive of activity. Several large groups are clustered around a flustered-looking receptionist seated at a long oak counter, each of them clamoring for attention. People of all designations move across through the security area, swiping their badges and heading toward the large elevator.

My feet tap against the marble floor as I hoist Teddy’s coat into my arms and stride forward.

You can do this.

I wait for the two groups to get their security badges, overhearing enough to learn they’re students from local colleges touring the publishing house. Their excitement fills my ears, and I shrink back.

Maybe—

No.

By the time I reach the receptionist, my throat is burning. She flicks her eyes over me, and her painted lips tighten a fraction. “Can I help you?”

I clear my throat. “Yes. Ah – I’m here to see Teddy… Quill.”

Her lips purse a little more, her eyes tightening at the edges. “Do you have an appointment? What’s your name?”

I nod. Then I shrug. “He… ah, told me to come anytime before six? It’s Fallon. He’s expecting me.”

The lips stretch into an insincere smile. “Can I see some identification, Fallon?”

My face falls.

You fucking idiot, Fallon . “I don’t… have any.”

She blinks. “I can’t let you in without an ID, I’m afraid. We implemented new rules just yesterday, and Fox is very particular about safety.”

I grip the side of the counter, and her eyes slide down. “But… he’s expecting me. We made the appointment yesterday.”

Slowly, her eyebrows raise. Her tone isn’t cruel, but it’s clear she doesn’t believe me. “Teddy has a lot of people asking for him. None of them ever have appointments. I’m truly sorry.”

“But I do,” I insist. My throat grows tight, my eyes prickling. “ Please . Look - I even have his coat.”

I hold it up like evidence, and hesitation flickers on her face. Then she holds out a hand. “I’ll take that for him. If you take a seat, I’ll try to get hold of someone for you to check. That’s the best I can do. But I’d recommend calling him yourself and asking him to come down.”

I stare at her outstretched hand. Slowly, I hand the coat over, hugging my arms around myself as she glances around me for the next person. The cough rattles my throat, burns my lungs. “Sorry. Could I – can I possibly have a glass of water?”

She points silently behind me, already greeting the next person in line as I turn and see a water cooler.

It whirrs when I press the button, but no water comes out.

Empty.

I cough again, and a security guard on the other side of the lobby glances at me, his gaze sweeping my dress. Backing away, I take a seat as close as I can to the counter, tucked away in the corner.

I can wait for her to make the call.

I have all day.