Page 100 of Break Out the Girl

We fucking found her.

Shit. My neck is screaming. I reach up a hand and instantly pull it away as the skin of my fingers scorches. Searing pain. My throat, my hand.

Everywhere.

I’m going to pass out.

My legs fail and I’m face down in the mud when I hear it. “Breathe, Godsdammit, Sky, breathe.”

Dragging my face from the forest floor, peering through the pouring rain, I see Tally doing chest compressions while London breathes into her mouth.

And her body.

Is still,

Pale.

Unmoving.

No, no, no, no.

With every single thing I have left, I drag myself towards them.

“BREATHE!” Tally screams. Despair in his voice.

Air.

She needs air.

I am air.

I am…if I can just.

Fuck, the pain.

I can do this.

Wump-ppp.

Don’t do this, my heart protests.

Why is it failing me now? I thought the shift healed it.

Wump-ppp.

DANGER.

I’m not listening. Hauling the last of my abilities to the surface, I groan out a breath. The breath. The silver, shimmering air she needs to survive the dirt.

Here, Sky. I’m here. Let me into your lungs.

Wump-ppp.

Suck me in, inhale me. Use me.

Wump-ppp.

Take everything, just live.