NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: 11 Scared [Memories]
Chelsea remembers her mother's illness.
"I have to warn you about something," Danny said one night while they were training.
Chelsea dropped the ecto-shield she was practicing. "What?"
Danny shuffled his feet and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll start with this. Have you ever been scared?"
A memory came to her mind. She was little, maybe only ten. Momma's stomach was hurting. Momma was screaming. The noise hurt Chelsea's head. Momma's fear hurt Chelsea's heart. Chelsea was scared for Momma. Why was Momma in pain? Mommas didn't get hurt.
Chelsea gulped. That was the time her mom got appendicitis. "Yeah," she said unsteadily. "I've been there."
Danny looked sympathetic. "Well, get used to it. This job is dangerous and can get pretty scary. I've been trapped more times than I can count."
"Trapped?" Chelsea asked. "Like, in a cage?"
Danny ticked off his fingers. "In a cage, in a box, in a mind-controlled haze, what else?"
"Okay, I get the idea," Chelsea said, holding back a question about mind control.
"So, are you sure you want to patrol with me?" Danny asked.
Chelsea didn't have to think. "Yeah!"
"Then I think you're ready," Danny said with a smile. "Let's get flying."