My Marionette Lover novel · Chapter 5 of 24

Chapter 5: Walk Me Somewhere

The clock tower stood at the top of the hill behind the library, and it was locked.

Brad picked the lock with a bobby pin he got from Birdie.

"Do not ask me how I know this," he said.

"I'm not asking."

"I was a very bad twelve-year-old."

He and Birdie stayed at the foot of the tower to watch the path.

Arlen and I started up the stairs.

It was three in the morning, and the narrow staircase smelled of dust and old rope.

Arlen climbed ahead of me with one hand on the wall.

Halfway up the first flight, I saw the black line tighten.

His shoulders hunched.

"It knows," he said quietly.

"Keep going."

"I am."

His right foot slid backward on the step.

He caught himself, gritted his teeth, and put it forward again.

Two more steps.

The line stretched so taut I could hear it hum.

"You can stop," I said.

"No."

He took another step, then another.

His knuckles were white on the rail, and a vein stood out on his forehead.

I kept the jester in my fist but didn't lift it.

It was his climb, and I'd promised.

At the second landing, his knees gave out.

He went down on one hand with his head bowed.

The black thread jerked him back down the stairs.

"Hazel," he said. "Now. Please."

I tied the silver to his belt and pulled the other way.

Just enough.

I felt the black thread strain against mine, and then Arlen got his feet under him and stood up.

"Don't let go," he said.

"I won't."

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