"Come on, Zelda," Impa pouts.

I shake my head for the tenth time. "I can't."

"It's our first spring break as college students! It's against the law not to party."

"So go party," I shrug.

"Not alone."

"Take Prissen."

"Ew, no."

"Domidak then."

"Now you're just mocking me. Come on, Princess. You gotta get out of the hospital every once in a while."

"I agree. But not today."

"Why? What's today?"

"March 14th."

"So?"

I take Link's hand into mine and study his face. The bruising has gone down and his skin is back to its regular color. "On Valentine's Day, I gave him chocolate. It's a Japanese tradition. One month later, the guy is supposed to give something back to the girl."

"This is depressing," Impa plunges down on the couch and rests her boots on the armrest. "Let's drive somewhere. Doesn't have to be Florida. We can just go to the pier."

"Too many memories of him..."

"Okay, let's go to the library?" she jokes.

"Stop," I bid in an exhausted sigh.

"Sorry. Just trying to cheer you up."

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm just so tired of waiting."

"My point exactly. You have to get away for a while. Staring at him will only make you more depressed."

A quiet knock on the door draws our eyes away from Link. It's Mipha, entering the room with a soft smile.

"Hey," she quietly greets us.

"Hey," I return in an equal volume.

"Yo Mipha," Impa sits up and rests her elbows on her knees. "Are you gonna go somewhere for spring break?"

"No, Link's mother is coming to California so I am staying here to help her with transportation, accomodation, and translation. I am on my way to pick her up from the airport right now..." She takes a step toward the bed while clinging to the pink surfboard on her keychain. "I'm just making a quick stop to see how he's doing..."

Mipha's voice fades out as she continues speaking. My mind is stuck on Link's mother coming to the States... She is coming all the way from Japan to visit her son in a coma. Which means I will be meeting her soon. Without Link. Mipha will have to be the one to translate for us. The thought makes me nauseous. Another point for Mipha... the girl who saved Link's life. The girl who has always been there for him, who knows him better than anyone else, who loves and treats him the way any mother could wish for. The girl who should have been his girlfriend. I wonder if his mother knows about us. And if she is upset that he didn't choose Mipha...

"Are you going to be here in the afternoon?" Mipha's eyes land on me.

"Me? No, actually, Impa and I are leaving for the week."

"Wait, really?" Impa grins.

"Yes, in fact, we should go right now if we don't want to be late," I give a frantic nod and get up breathlessly.

"Oh," is all Mipha says. I'm glad she isn't questioning my sudden departure.

"Very unfortunate timing, so sorry about that. Let's go, Impa." I drag her out by the wrist and don't let go until we reach the elevator.

"Be late for what?" Impa asks excitedly as the doors open. "Are we really going away for spring break?"

"No," I pant.

"Then why would you say that?"

We step inside the elevator. I try to swallow but the only option my body is currently giving me is pain. "Because," I gasp, unable to catch my breath. "Because–I–hh–"

"Hey, breathe," she says alarmed.

"I can't!"

"What's wrong?"

"I'm–I'm having–a panic attack," I heave and collapse to the floor.

"Zelda!" Impa kneels down and supports my body with her arms.

"I can't–breathe," I puff, wasting more air.

"Oh shit. Oh shit, okay, don't panic–"

"Not helping!" I panic.

"Fresh air will help, just take deep breaths," Impa advises as the doors open. She helps me up and guides me out the building.

We find a seat on the edge of a stone flower bed. I take a couple of deep breaths and try to calm my pounding heart. The fresh air, the sun, and the big space are actually helping a lot. I just have to remember to breathe.

"What triggered it? Is it meeting the parent?" Impa asks concerned.

"It's everything!" I pinch my eyes to stop the tears from falling. I'm having a breakdown. Once again I'm the weak end. Meanwhile, Mipha is doing useful stuff, like picking his mother up from the airport. "Link should have woken up by now," I whimper. "Ganon should have gone to prison. I feel extremely guilty for skipping school but leaving Link's side makes me feel even worse. I can't sleep even though I'm tired! I'm so hungry but every time I eat more than two bites, I throw up. My body is aching everywhere and... And it's just a lot. I hate feeling this useless and weak. I want to do something that will help Link..."

"Ganon's court date is coming up soon. Maybe–"

"They're not going to sentence him," I cut her off before she gives me false hope again. My head drops into my hands.

"I got some good news though." I look up at her and sniffle. "I finally figured out my major! I'm going to study law."

"What?"

"Yup, I'll become a lawyer, or better yet, a judge. Finally gonna bring some justice to this unjust justice system," she laughs.

"Can you become a judge by next week?"

"I wish," she smiles and rubs my back. "I know it doesn't change anything about this situation but maybe in the future, for someone just as hurt and scared, it will make a difference."

I exhale a long breath. "It's an odd thought, but I could see it. You're feisty and fearless. I think you'll make a great lawyer. But you'll have to start following the law, you know that, right?"

"Meh, nothing is illegal if you don't get caught." I chuckle lightly and wipe the corner of my eyes. "Feeling any better?"

"Not really." That's a lie, I can breathe again. But the pain is still there. It never leaves... "I'm sorry for causing a scene again. I overreacted."

"Your reaction was reasonable. It's a lot to take in at once and I understand that meeting Link's mother is just really bad timing."

"It's just that I want to make the best impression possible... I want to prove that I could be the perfect girlfriend and... someday a good daughter-in-law. Mipha already has a headstart in that. She speaks the language and her family is friends with his family. So I constantly feel like I'm competing. I know it's all in my head, I know it, but... with everything going on... Lately I haven't been myself. I get angry all the time and zone out or speak my mind before thinking about the effect my words could have on others. I've been so agitated. I yell at the doctors, I yell at you... And these panic attacks have become more frequent. I'm a complete mess. And I'm extremely nervous. What if I act out like this with his mother in the room?"

"Being nervous is natural. I'm sure his parents will love you. But if you can't handle all that stress right now, it's also okay to just take a step back and put yourself first for once. Take a break. Go home, sleep in your own bed. When's the last time you had a proper meal? That you didn't puke up."

"Last night."

"Nuh-uh. You ate half a pack of dry crackers. A real meal, Zelda."

"I don't know. My appetite has been dormant since the baseball game."

"You're going to get sick if you keep skipping meals."

"I'm already sick."

"Go home for the night. Have the chef make you some gourmet dinner. I'll sleep over and keep you distracted if that helps."

I shake my head at her. "I can't... Everything at home reminds me of him."

"Let's stay at my house then."

"Your parents are there. I love them, but I really don't feel like interacting with people."

"Does anyone include me?"

"No, you're fine."

"Okay." She bites her lip as she ponders. "Paya is gone for spring break; you're staying at the dorms with me. Nobody will talk to you, nothing will remind you of Link."
"But I–"

"I'm not letting you stay at the hospital for another night. We'll order food, watch a movie, cry if we feel like it, sounds nice?"

"It doesn't sound terrible," I mutter and agree to spending the night with Impa.

We make a stop at Walmart to buy some snacks before we drive to her dorms. The buildings are nearly abandoned, only a few students stayed behind for spring break. We head down the quiet hallways until we get to Impa's room. One side is a mess, the other is neat. Just like the last time I was here.

"Are you sure Paya won't mind if I stay?"

"Yeah she's cool with it. I'll take her bed, you can have mine. Just gotta put away my clothes."

Impa was right; other than the clothes littering the bed and the martial arts trophies, nothing here reminds me of Link.

Impa offers me a beer from the mini fridge but I decline. After the Boars party, I decided to stay away from alcohol for as long as I feel upset. It is not the kind of solution I am looking for. I know that now.

We spend the rest of the day in her room. Impa thinks it might help me to feel better on the inside if I feel better on the outside and convinces me to do a makeover. Half an hour later I have painted nails and dutch braids. I must say, it did help make me feel a little better. Impa really knows how to distract me from the pain. Even if it's just temporary.

Having spent so much time at the hospital, two weeks blended into one long day. Every day is the same and the waiting seems endless. Changing my looks helps change the setting. At least a little.

Impa insists on ordering food even though I don't want to risk throwing up. I eat two spoons of rice before I feel my gag reflexes. More leftovers. Eating has become a real struggle lately. My body just refuses to consume any solid food.

Around 3:15 in the morning, Impa falls asleep while I sit awake. Nothing I'm not familiar with by now. Being awake while others aren't... I have grown accustomed to that. This is the time of the day I feel the loneliest. I pause the movie and shut the laptop. It's so quiet. It almost feels like I'm all alone even though Impa is lying right next to me. Cautious not to wake her, I get up from the bed.

Why am I even here? I should have stayed with Link. I should have met his mother. I'm such a coward. Why am I like this? I don't want to be scared anymore. I hate feeling so weak all the time. I was never a fan of myself but I usually knew which flaws I didn't like about myself. Now I'm despising myself more and more with no idea why. I want to change the situation for the better but I can't.

I grab my car keys and quietly leave the room. I need to be with him. The guilt of being gone all day and half the night is slowly eating me alive. It's almost 4 AM by the time I get to the hospital. The streets are peaceful. The only people up are those going to work early, or those getting home late.

The hospital is never fully silent but the night shift is much calmer. I pass a nurse here and then, most of them know me by now. Most patients are fast asleep. Including Link... I get to his room and open the door as quietly as I can as if waking him up was a concern.

Startled, I gape at the boy sitting by Link's side. Revali is just as shocked as me; eyes frozen, mouth agape, he stares back at me. The door behind me falls into its lock, that's when he snaps out of it. At the speed of an arrow, he jerks his hand away from Link and jumps up from the chair.

"Shut up!" he warns in a panicked whisper.

"I haven't said anything."

"I was just–I was on a jog when I passed the hospital and–I–I'm just dropping by 'cause you told me to."

"How long have you been here?" I am fighting with all my might not to burst into laughter.

"A minute? Two tops."

"You were holding his hand."

"I was not!"

"Were too."

"I was just fixing the needle!"

"Sure," I smirk, arms crossed.

"I don't care if you believe me or not."

"I really don't," I suppress my smirk. "In the 3 months that I lived with you, not once did you go for a jog at 4 in the morning."

"Get off the high horse, Princess. The only reason I came is so you'll stop yelling at me."

"Whatever you say, Ravioli."

"I was just about to leave anyway."

"Okay." This is too funny. But if I laugh, he will never visit again.

"What are you even doing here? It's the middle of the night."

"Why so surprised? I sleep here every night, you know that."

"Mipha said you'd be gone for spring break."

"So you keep in touch with Mipha?"

"We talk sometimes," he shrugs, pursing his lips.

"You're contradicting yourself," I have to rub it in, I will not live this down. "You say you're only visiting to please me, yet you're here when I'm supposed to be gone. How would I have known that you came by? Are you embarrassed that somebody could see your human side?"

"No," he growls. "It's a coincidence that you were gone the one time I'm not busy."

"Right. Because drinking on the roof and taking night jogs is so much more important than visiting Link in a coma."

"Why are you complaining, I'm here now, aren't I?"

"You just said you're leaving."

"Yeah, so get out of my way."

I clear his path. He storms out into the hallway, leaving me alone with Link. I still can't believe he actually came. Who knows how many hours he has been here already and how much longer he would have stayed if I hadn't shown up. Yes, I'm already regretting having to gloat. Way to go, Zelda.

I catch up to Revali just as the elevator arrives. "You can stay," I tell him.

"I told you I have to go."

"I know. But... I'm staying at the dorms tonight, so... So Link is going to be alone for the rest of the night."

"And I care because...?"

"You don't. You've made that very clear." I step inside the elevator and press the button. Revali looks back down the hallway and tenses his jaw. "Are you coming?"

"I left my jacket in the room," he claims, awkwardly pointing his thumb over his shoulder.

"Oh," I press my lips together to keep a serious mien. "You better go get it then."

"Yeah."

"Okay." Don't laugh.

"Fuck off."

"See you tomorrow?"

"I'd rather shoot myself."

He turns away and walks back to Link's room as the elevator doors close. I'm smiling and somehow I know he is too. His cheeks were flaming red. He must have been mortified when I caught him holding Link's hand, and I probably shouldn't have made fun of him, but I am so glad he came. It's too bad I have to leave in order for him to stay.

I wanted to spend the night with Link so badly but I think Revali needs this more than I do. Maybe he is the miracle Link needs to wake up. I hope that's the case. Even though I want to be there when Link opens his eyes, if me staying away would lead to his awakening, I would gladly bear the heartache of distance for the time being.

✤ ✤ ✤

While I am happy that Revali stayed by Link's side, being so far away from him made it impossible to sleep. I have been up all night, doing research on my laptop. Nothing school related... I'm still trying to find a way to get Ganon behind bars. He's probably going to get away with this because the fight was sports related. I wonder how the court would handle his case if he got caught in a crime off campus. Not school related.

When Impa finally wakes up, she wipes the drool from her cheek and sits up to stretch herself.

"What time is it?" She asks, searching the bed for her phone.

"5:43."

"In the morning?" She gasps and drops back onto her pillows.

"Afternoon, actually. You slept all day."

Unruffled, she rolls over to look at me. "Did you sleep in Paya's bed?"

"I didn't."

"Oh. Did I kick you in my sleep? I had a dream that I was fighting that ant dude from Kung Fu Panda."

"You mean the mantis; whose name is literally Mantis."

"Huh. Yeah that one."

"I found his address," I say, my eyes focused on the screen.

"What?" She gives me a confused look. Curiosity gets her out of bed. She takes a seat next to me on Paya's bed. After rubbing her eyes, she squints at the screen, then at me. "Ganondorf? I thought we agreed that hunting him down is a reckless idea."

"I'm not after him. I'm after his son."

"Different apples, same tree. Let the court handle it."

"Well, I was thinking I could drive by his house, follow Ganon around for a day, and maybe catch him doing something criminal."

"You promised you'd leave him alone."

"I only agreed not to confront him alone. I never said I'd stop looking for ways to make him pay. I want to drive over there today."

"And threaten him like you threatened that skinny douchebag?"

"Not yet. The first step is to drive to his house"

"And then what? Throw a brick through his window?"

"That's actually not such a bad idea."

"That's a terrible idea. Let's do it."

"You're in?" I grin.

"He's gonna kill us but yeah I'm in. Just one question..."

"Yes?"

"Who the hell are you and when did you become badass?" Impa laughs.

I wouldn't call it badass. I'm just sick of sitting around doing nothing. I don't know if I will ever get used to this new dark side of me but I like it more than my cowardly side. I'd rather feel angry than scared. I am embracing it with a roguish grin.

After sundown, we take Impa's car to the address I found on Google. It's close to Lorule's campus, not too far from their frat house. We park across the street. Ganondorf's house is imposing but it's not the kind of supervillain hideout I was expecting. It looks quite normal. Too normal.

"Are you sure this is it?" I ask Impa.

"This is the address you gave me." We peek at the house. All the windows are dark and there is no car in the driveway. "So what exactly is it that Ganondorf does?"

"How would I know?"

"You've been stalking him online."

"Yes but his criminal record isn't public."

"So what's known to the public? He's Lorule's dean, right?"

"It says he makes his money with stocks and real estate. Apparently he also owns a couple of professional sports teams. But that's probably not his main income source."

"Yeah, he's definitely into money laundering. Maybe he deals with drugs or something. This is probably not even his only house. Maybe he makes the drugs himself at a secret location. Breaking Bad style."

"Quite possible."

"This is some shit you'd see in a movie! I'd make it a TikTok if it wasn't totally illegal. Are we still gonna smash his window? Shit get down, get down!" She ducks and pulls me down into hiding as the garage door opens up.

"Who is it?" I whisper in horror.

Impa stretches her neck to spy through the car window. "It's Ganon. He's unlocking his car."

"We should write down the license plate!"

Suddenly a loud ringing noise fills the car and both of us jump in shock. It's my phone!

"Turn it off!" Impa hisses. Panicked, I struggle to fetch my phone from my pocket while crouching on the passenger seat. "You're going to get us caught! Turn it off!"

In shock and terror, I accidentally answer the call.

"Zelda?" Father's voice sounds through my phone.

"Hello," I whisper into the speaker.

"I was wondering if you would like to have dinner tonight."

"No thank you," I quickly return.

"Oh," he sounds disappointed. "Alright then. How are you doing?"

"Hang up!" Impa mouths.

"I'm fine," I answer quietly. "I have to go."

"Hold on a second," Father bids. I hear a car door shut just before two headlights turn on and point right at us. We stay down, cramped into our seats, while Ganon's car points at us like a spotlight. "You're going through a difficult time and I just want you to know that I understand. When your mother left this world, her death was so sudden and unexpected, most nights I awoke unsure if she was really gone."

"Link's not dead!" I snap.

"Of course not. That is not what I–"

Impa snatches the phone and hangs up. "Are you nuts!"

"I didn't know he was going to call!"

"This is the first time I wish your phone was dead!"

"Sorry!"

"Mute it!" she demands in a quick whisper. "Before he calls again."

Ganon drives off and the garage door closes. Impa and I let out a long sigh as we sit back up. I put my phone on vibrate. Best timing, Father, as always.

"Sorry," I apologize again.

"Dude," she laughs. "I thought we were screwed."

"I know, I'm sorry." I know I shouldn't be smiling at our foolishness but it's the most fun I've had in weeks.

"Should we follow his car? Maybe we'll catch him doing something shady."

"I have a better idea. You still got nunchakus?"

"Nah, cops took them, why?" She arches her brow.

"What other illegal things do you have?"

"Um... Zelda?"

"We can plant something in his house and give the police an anonymous tip!"

"If anyone catches us snooping around the house, we're the ones getting arrested."

"Then let's not get caught."

"I feel like I'm in the Matrix. Are you still my best friend? The one who scolded me for eating my lunch outside of the cafeteria?"

"Come on, this might be our only chance to get him arrested. He deserves to pay for what he did to Link."

"Yeah, but... This is a suicide mission. If we're gonna plant false evidence, we should at least have a plan first."

"It's now or never. It has to be before Ganon's court date and right now the house is deserted!"

She scratches her head in distress and bites down on her lip. "Shit. Okay. I might have something that could get him a year or two." She gets out of the car. I follow her to the back, where she checks our surroundings twice before slowly opening the trunk.

"Throwing stars?" I gape at her.

"Hell no, I'm not leaving my babies in Ganon's house. I have something better. Or worse, depending on which side you're on." She grabs the duffle bag, unzips it, takes out a bunch of clothes, and finally reveals a heavy bag of–

"Drugs?" I gasp.

"They're not mine."

"Why do you have them?"

"Cops showed up at a party a few weeks ago. We had to hide the stash. So yeah. It's a favor I'm doing for a friend."

"Are you lying?" I glare at her.

"No! I don't do drugs. Not this kind at least. I swear!"

"Doesn't your friend want them back?"

"I was planning on getting rid of it anyway. Getting pulled over with this shit in the trunk after being on probation–not a good idea. If the police find Ganon in possession of drugs right before his court date, there's a good chance they'll put him away for a bit. Long enough for Link to get back on his feet."

I pick up the bag and hide it under my jacket. "Stay here–"

"I'm coming with you!"

"You already have a record. And you have to stay here so you can warn me if Ganon comes back."

"How am I supposed to warn you? Make bird sounds?"

"Call me."

"Yeah? And then your phone dies."

"My phone is at 80%. And I doubt that he'll be back in the next five minutes."

"We are so going to jail," Impa shakes her head and shuts the trunk. "You don't even know how to defend yourself."

"I won't have to. Nobody's home."

"Fuck. Hurry up then. Watch out for a dog. Those things hurt."

I give a quick nod before I cross the street. My heart is pacing! I'm both excited and terrified. If I can do this without getting caught, Ganon might finally face the punishment he deserves. If I do get caught, at least I did something other than sit around and cry.

Looking back at my life, I was always too scared to take action when something went wrong. Even when Father tried to take away my dreams, I quickly gave up and just accepted it. When Karusa grabbed me in the tunnel, I froze and let it happen. And when Link was dying in my arms, all I did was weep over his body. This plan might be crazy but if it results in Ganon's arrest, I'm willing to risk it.

I'm surprised this house doesn't have gates or security guards. From what I've seen online, Ganondorf could easily afford it. I also don't see any security cameras. This is weird. Impa might be onto something with the second house theory. Maybe this isn't even Ganon's real home. But then what was he doing here?

I sneak around the house. They have a pool, it's dirty, covered in dead leaves. Other than that, the back yard is pretty empty. No dog house. That's a relief. The back door is locked. Great. I mean, what did I expect? I walk along the house wall to see if any of the windows are open but I am out of luck.

At this point it's go big or go home. I pick up a rock and step up to the back door. It has a small window just at the right height to reach the handle on the other side. After checking for nosy neighbors, I hit the rock against the window and cough equally as loud to drown out the sound of shattering glass. I'm doing this like a pro.

Staring at the broken glass, my moral sense is kicking in at long last. Along with an overdose of regret and fear. My eyes fall to the rock in my hands. Shoot! I toss it into the bushes. No evidence left behind. I have to act fast now before someone calls the police.

My arm reaches through the broken window and unlocks the door from the inside. I swing it open but hesitate to step inside. It's dark and quiet in there. I could use the flash on my phone but that would only arouse more suspicion.

The shards crunch beneath my shoes as I cautiously walk inside. I can't believe it. I'm in Ganondorf's house! No turning back now. This is the craziest thing I have ever done. Crazier than bringing a boy home and stripping him in my room.

I shut the door behind me. When I turn around to face the room, I feel myself losing touch with my senses and have to hold on to the wall behind me as my vision goes black for a few seconds. I'm in a small room with a table covered in bundles of money. Is it real? As if my feet were roots connected to the ground, I am unable to move. I'm surprised I haven't lost consciousness yet. With my lack of sleep, I should have passed out a while ago. Deep breaths. I knew his family was criminal but to this moment I didn't realize what criminal truly meant. I didn't think people like this could actually exist. It's not even the money that is freaking me out but the thing lying next to it. Let's just get this over.

On wobbly steps, I carry the bag of drugs up to the table. I don't know much about guns but I recognize a pistol. I place the bag on top of the pile of money, careful not to touch anything.

I should take a photo of this. Unless it'll backfire and serve as proof to the police that I broke in. I'll just move the photo to the hidden folder. I snap a picture of the table. I hope nobody saw the flash.

In the photo, I notice the door on the other side of the table. It probably leads to the rest of the house. I zoom in; it has a sliding bolt. Why would they lock a room from the inside? This place is giving me goosebumps. Curious of the secrets that lie on the other side, I walk around the table and unlock the door. I can hear my heart drumming in the back of my head. It's my senses telling me to turn back.

I don't listen. If Ganon hides guns and money in a room with a glass window, what else is he hiding so carelessly? Maybe I will find his skeleton in the closet; something that will get him locked away for life. I'm just hoping that idiom doesn't turn out to be literal... I'm not looking for more trauma by finding a dead body in here.

The door leads to the living room area. I imagined the inside of their house to look like a cartel but it looks like a normal family home... As if all of this was just a facade. A perfect little doll house. But nothing here is real. Not a single family picture decorates the blank walls. I continue to the kitchen. There are dishes in the sink, the first sign that somebody actually lives here.

Cautiously, I sneak down a long hallway with doors on each side. This is like something out of a horror game. The first door I try to open is locked, the next two lead to empty rooms. What is this place?

I take the stairs to the second floor. The first room is a bathroom. No personal items. No window. The next door has a lock on the outside but it's already open by a small gap. I push my hand against it, lightly, slowly opening it further. My heart is about to explode. I'm scared of the things I will find on the other side.

Just another empty room. Well, almost empty. There is a mattress on the floor and the bed sheets suggest that somebody has slept here. I step inside. The room has a wall closet. Please let me be wrong about the skeletons. I walk up to it on weak knees and stretch my hand out to slide it open. My fingertips touch the wood just as a female voice startles me from behind.

"Zelda?" She whispers and I nearly collapse on the spot. Impa?

I turn around in shock. No air to breathe. No words to say. It's not Impa. It's Malice.... Pointing a pocket knife at me.

The shock is paralyzing my body, making it impossible to raise my hands in surrender.

"What the fuck..." Malice stares at me in a similar state of shock. "Did you just break in?"

"N-n-no..." I stammer.

"I heard the glass breaking," she steps closer, keeping the knife in her secure grip.

"I can–I can explain," I shake my head in fear. My pulse is violently stabbing me from the inside.

"We're dead," she breathes, eyes wide in shock. "He's going to kill us."

For the first time ever, Malice looks genuinely terrified. She lowers the weapon and takes a couple of deep breaths. What is she doing here? All by herself. Is she watching over the money while father and son are out on a heist? More importantly, is she as scared of Ganon as me?

"Why are you here?" I ask her in a low voice.

"I live here! What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Wait, you live here? In this pretend-home? Do Ganon and his father live here too?"

"Sometimes." She folds the knife and pushes it back into her pocket. "He probably heard you. You have to leave or he'll kill you."

With a heavy heart, I take in her appearance. I haven't seen Malice in a couple of months. I was worried about her, even though I despise her. She looks fragile. Dark shadows of fright have fallen over her features. She is still Malice; fierce, with a look of disgust on her face, but there is something else. Something worse than panic. A silent scream for help.

She looks a lot like the stranger in the mirror. The one I neglected. What kind of a person would I be if I turned away from Malice when she needed my help? What will happen to her if I walk away? I can't leave her behind. I don't know anything about her life but I know it's not the life she wants.

"It's okay, Malice. He left," I assure her with a nervous smile. "It's going to be okay. If we call the police, he'll go to prison for a long time. Did you see the guns and the money? And the drugs? Ganon can't hurt you anymore. I have proof–"

"Leave Ganon alone!" She warns.

"What?"

"Stay away from him. Don't come back."

"You don't have to live like this, Malice. I can help you..."

"You can't help me. And if you do anything to get Ganon in trouble, I'll mess you up!"

"But–but Malice, he deserves to go to prison! He almost killed Link! And look at what he's doing to you! Your room has a lock! Don't tell me you're in on this. If he is forcing you to play watchdog, don't think for a second you have to go along with it!"

"He's the only one who ever cared about me!"

"He hits you..."

"Shut up–"

"The police will–"

"Be quiet!" she whispers and covers my mouth. "He heard us!"

"Ganon left!" I mumble against her hand.

"Ganondorf was in the basement!"

"Malice!" A deep voice roars and every hair on my body stands up.

"Hide," she mouths and shoves me backward into the closet. I plunge to the floor–Malice pulls the door shut–my heart stops.

I hear his footsteps stomping up the stairs. With every step they get louder. Until his voice appears again, only feet away from me. I peek through the tiny gap. It's dark but I recognize Ganondorf's silhouette.

"Explain the broken window," the man orders. Malice is standing in front of him, her posture shrinking into submission.

"A bird, probably," she quietly answers, keeping her head low.

"A bird?" He gives her a second to rethink her answer. "Did the bird also open the lock?"

"I... Don't know, I haven't been downstairs–" He grabs her by the neck and pulls her closer. "I didn't go downstairs I swear! I swear!" Pure panic is taking over her trembling voice. "I swear!"

"Then who broke the back door?"

"I don't know!" She whimpers. "I swear, I don't know! I heard the noise but I didn't go downstairs!"

"Was it Ganon?"

"No, he left!"

I have my hands pressed against my mouth and nose so hard that I am suffocating myself to avoid any kind of noise. In my hysterical mind every breath I take is as loud as a blood curdling scream.

"Where did he go?" Ganondorf asks her, tightening his grip.

"Out," she croaks, "training."

He lets go of her, giving her a moment to cough and catch her breath. My phone starts to vibrate and my vision blurs from the overbearing anxiety that is choking me. All I do is press the power button to decline the call. Did he hear it? It's so quiet all of a sudden. I'm too scared to move a single muscle.

"Whose drugs are these?" Ganondorf asks. I want to let out a sigh but I'm still holding my breath. "Just tell me they're Ganon's and I won't punish you."

"I don't know whose drugs they are..."

"Then I'll just have to punish you both."

"No! No," she pleads, "okay, they're mine, I'm sorry! I broke the window but I didn't touch anything, I swear!"

Why is she covering for me? And why isn't she just blaming it on her abusive boyfriend? What is she so scared of? Why does she always defend Ganon?

Ganondorf gently cups her cheeks. She whimpers from his touch but doesn't move. A moment of silence passes before I hear a loud slap. I flinch and press my hand against my mouth so hard that I cut my lip on my teeth. I can't watch! I should do something but I am frozen!

I keep my eyes straight, that's when I spot the baseball bat in front of me. Blood splatters coat its surface. I'm going to throw up. It's Ganon's bat, it must be! Tears roll down my cheeks and I can't stop it. I shut my eyes and force myself to cry in silence, only a couple of inches away from the weapon Ganon used on Link. This is evidence! This should be with the police!

"You know you're not supposed to leave the house without Ganon," the man continues calmly.

"I know, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Malice cries.

"How much did you take?"

"I didn't take any money."

"Drugs, Malice."

"Not much... I was just a little high and I panicked! I won't do it again, I'm sorry... Please, I'm so sorry!"

"Malice," I can picture a sinister smile on his face as he utters her name. "It's okay. I'm sure you'll find a way to make up for it."

I hear a quiet sniffle and a broken voice whispering, "Yes."

The door shuts and silence becomes my new company. They left the room together. It takes me at least a full two minutes before I find myself breathing again. The shallow movement of my chest quickly turns into panic-stricken gasps of air. I pull my knees closer, away from the bat, and move my trembling hands to pick up my phone.

I have two notifications. I wish I could make out the text but everything is blurry. I hold the screen up close to my eyes and blink the tears away. Impa never tried to call me... But Mipha did and sent me a message after she failed to reach me...

*Link is awake!*