notion • john murphy

44 - PROBLEMS

[ PROBLEMS ]

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Sayah could feel the waves lapping beneath her feet from where she stood. They had to find Becca's lab, on the island where she knew Murphy had been trapped, on the island where Alie had waited, on the island where Jaha had taken Alie from, on the stupid island where apparently the girl Murphy was with saved him.

"Where are all the boats?" Sayah heard Murphy ask from outside. She ignored the response from the girl—Emori, was her name—and turned to Luna.

   "So from what you've told me, I'm surprised the girl John is with isn't dead yet." Luna said, a small smirk on her face.

   "Yes, well, I have to wait until John explains it—whenever that will be—but until then, I have to control myself." Sayah snorted.

   "And can you? Control yourself?" Luna questioned her strangely. The way Luna had said it made it sound like it had a double meaning. Sayah's tongue darted out to wet her lips and Luna waited patiently for an answer.

   "Doesn't matter." Sayah simply replied before going serious. "Listen if we find the lab, and you don't feel comfortable doing any of the tests or anything, you tell me and I'll—"

   "Little Sayah," Luna drawled, a small grin on her face. "Always the protector." The title made Sayah feel a little nervous—even as children she was on watch for Luna, making sure none of the more confident natblida's and such were teasing her. Luna could handle herself, that much was true, but Sayah was always there, grinning in victory with bruised fists and making sure to mock the small whimpers of pain. Luna had to beg the flamekeepers to allow Sayah to watch training, promising them she wouldn't 'interfere', although she liked the fact Sayah would stand up for her.

   "How dare you disrespect your future commander?" Sayah would ask them before she would swing. Luna would pull Sayah off, giggling in her ear. The sound would make Sayah's heart warm.

   Sayah rolled her eyes, brushing the memory away. "I'm serious."

   "I know." Luna nodded, taking Sayah's hand. "And you know I can handle myself, don't you?" It was the same thing she'd say while examining Sayah's bruised fists.

   "Then why must you hold my hand every second, Lu?" Sayah cocked her head, brow raised. She wasn't complaining, it was nice. But she was curious.

   Luna grinned, lowering her head to hide it. When she looked back up to speak, her words were soft. "Makes me feel a little better."

   Sayah pursed her lips, letting the silence welcome the two girls like old friends. Luna stared at her for a beat too long that had Sayah clearing her throat and heading to the door. "Come on then," She led them out of the small lower room that was on the ship and squinted her eyes at the much brighter light from outside. The warmth made her skin tingle.

   "According to Theolonious' map," She heard Abby say. "The lab is in the middle of the island, five miles straight ahead."

   Sayah and Luna made their way off the boat and onto the pier. Murphy was standing there already, Raven behind him as he stared up at the island. "Never thought I'd be here again." Murphy said.