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Without hesitation, I leaned over, pinched her nose closed, and started mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The bitter taste of lake water filled my mouth, but I pressed on, willing air into her lungs.
“Come on, breathe! Vernis’ ko mne, come back to me,” I pleaded, blowing into her mouth.
When she still didn’t respond, I began chest compressions, pushing down forcefully on her chest. With each compression, I pleaded for any sign of life.
“Sofiya! Prosnut’sya! Wake up!” I shouted, my voice hoarse from yelling. “Fuck, pozhaluysta, prosnis’! Please, wake up!”
Everything felt like déjà vu, a haunting replay of losing my father, my babushka—all fading into the past. My cold lips met hers again, my breath chasing warmth into her. But she remained still, lifeless.
In that freezing night, I knew if she joined the ranks of those who’d abandoned me, I might as well plunge into that icy lake and drown too. She was my last shot at redemption. My last chance at happiness.
With gritted teeth and burning rage, I cursed under my breath, mumbling desperate promises to her. Promises fueled by the storm within me, swearing to fight like hell to save her, and to drag my own cursed soul from the pit of hell.
Suddenly, after what felt like an eternity lost in darkness, she coughed up water, gasping for air. Relief washed over me as I helped her sit up, rubbing her back.
“Fuck, baby, ty v poryadke? You good?” I asked, holding her tightly as she coughed and wheezed.
I grabbed my jacket and wrapped it around her.
She nodded weakly, whispering, “Thank you,” as tears streamed down her face. I held her close, feeling her cold body against mine.
Fuckin’ hell. I thought she was dead for a fucking second.
All that mattered was that she was alive and safe in my arms now.
“You scared the hell out of me,” I whispered, kissing her softly.
She rested her head on my shoulder, still coughing.
“I promise you, Sofiya. I’ll kill her for what she did to you,” I said, caressing her back.
And I fucking will. Marina better start counting her days.
I stood up and helped her to her feet. “We need to get you warm.”
I reached for my phone, keeping my jacket around her shoulders, and dialed Dve’s number. As soon as he answered, I told him to meet us at the car. I hung up and turned back to Sofiya, lifting her into my arms. She pressed close to me, her arm around my neck, her face in the crook of my shoulder, her breath warming me.
I opened the car’s back door and gently placed her on the seat, making sure she was comfortable.
“You’ll be okay,” I promised softly, brushing a strand of wet hair from her face. “Just rest and try to warm up.”
She nodded weakly, still coughing, and closed her eyes, leaning against the headrest.
“Rest on me. You’ll get warmer quicker,” I said, sitting beside her and gently pulling her close. She leaned her head against my chest, still shivering, but her breathing seemed to ease.
A surge of pain coursed through me as I looked at her delicate body, so vulnerable and cold against mine, yet undeniably mine. She was mine. Mine to protect, and I fucking hated myself for what happened to her tonight. I didn’t protect her enough. Everything was my fucking fault.
I rubbed her back in small circles, gazing out the car window as flames exploded through the house windows, spreading their heat. The fire’s light cast an orange glow over everything. The once-white house was now fully engulfed, the flames dancing higher, reaching for the sky. The sound of cracking and popping wood mixed with the fire’s roar, making it seem like the world was ending.
Dve and Alexsei approached the car. Dve quickly took the wheel, his worried eyes landing on Sofiya.
“Give me both your coats.”
They quickly complied, handing them over without question. I carefully draped them over her legs and hips, tucking them in around her.
“Teper’ ty v bezopasnosti. Now you’re safe,” I whispered in her ear, planting a soft kiss on her damp hair.
Dve quickly started the engine and pressed on the gas, the car speeding away from the burning house. I lingered for a moment, watching as the flames consumed everything, the heat radiating even through the rain.
