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“Are you sure? Because you’re yelling at your characters.”
“You would too if they rewrote what you wrote!”
There was that funny look again. “Um…Are you saying that you wrote something and then the character…rewrote it? On your computer?”
“Yes!” I snapped, swiveling the screen for him to see. “Do you see this? From this part down, it’s all rewritten.”
He nodded sagely. “Yes, I do see that. But…isn’t it possible that you rewrote it after you wrote it the first time?”
“No,” I hissed. “Do you really think I would do that?”
“I’ve seen you do it before.”
“Yes, when a scene wasn’t working. This scene was working just fine.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Giulia, this is insane. You’re acting like these characters can leap out of the book and do their own thing.”
“Exactly,” I said, relieved he was finally understanding. “You know I talk to them. You know we have these long conversations. But what I didn’t expect was that one day they’d fight back.”
“This is insane even for you.”
“That’s it? You’re not going to help me?”
“With what?” he snapped. “They’re fictional characters!”
I gasped, sliding back in my seat at the insult. I couldn’t believe he just said that to me. These men and women were my family, my source of entertainment, and the people who kept me sane.
Well, until today.
“Don’t you ever say they aren’t real again,” I whispered.
“Giulia—”
“Don’t,” I choked out, turning away from him. I was too traumatized by his words to write any further. Shutting down my computer, I walked away and poured myself another glass of wine.
31
ROB
She came for me just after everyone was about to leave for the day. Hunter was on watch, but when Kate checked in, Hunter shot me one last parting look before strolling away. Hopefully, Lucy would keep him occupied until he came to his senses.
Kate locked the door and pulled the blinds on the window. “What do you need?”
“I need…to see Cap…and anyone else who might be more open to understanding.”
“I don’t even understand,” she huffed.
“Right, but you’re at least willing to hear me out. That has to count for something.”
She chewed her lip, thinking over everyone at Reed Security. “Derek. It’s gotta be him.”
“Why?”
“Because of the superhero stuff. If anyone is willing to believe this was all written against their will, it’ll be him. No man could stand to wear a cape and tights as often as him.”
“That’s good thinking. There’s just one problem.”
“What’s that?” she asked as she started to unhook me from the monitor.