Page 130 of Molt

“It’s okay.”

“Don’t fucking say that!”

The hand tears free. Blood splashes across both of us.

Sarah screams until no sound comes out.

A complete forearm hangs from the opening in her abdomen.

My forearm. The grotesque thing twitches. Fingers curl. My right arm ends at the elbow.

Smooth.

Gone.

Sarah looks at me.

Then at the limb protruding from her body and starts sobbing. “I can’t do this.”

“Yes, you can.”

“No.”

“Sarah.”

“You’re disappearing.”

“I know.”

“Stop saying that!”

I laugh weakly. “Fair.”

Her face twists.

Another spasm. My ribs disappear next. One after another. Inside my chest, things shift without support. Breathing becomes difficult.

Sarah screams as new bones lock into place beneath hers.

Her torso bulges.

Then settles. Too full.

Two skeletal patterns fighting for one shape. She crawls toward me. “No touching.”

“Fuck you.”

“Sarah...”

She wraps herself around me.

I don’t have the strength to resist.

“Don’t leave me.”

The words break me. “I have to.”

“No.”