Page 445 of Coal Hearts

Every muscle engaged to pull Peter behind me all while the two girls shoved him just a little each time.

The knife dug into my lower back, and cuts decorated every part of us.

Little slices as we travelled as if the cave demanded a cost in the currency of our blood.

Peter flickered in and out of consciousness.

At one point, he woke with a start and fought our hold.

The next, he woke up screaming.

Luckily or unluckily, he didn’t remain conscious for long.

And we had no choice but to keep going.

Climbing higher and higher.

Light growing brighter and brighter.

The air cleaner and cleaner.

Until eventually...freedom.

* * * * *

“I want to kiss you, Ily.” Rachel laughed with pure giddiness as we limped, shuffled, and practically fell out of the widening crack and into the largest cave so far.

Not that it was a cave.

With a heavy exhale, I raised my face to the darkening twilight above.

Seagulls flew in the greying sky, squawking their daily news and getting ready to roost.

Greenery framed the scene above like a gorgeous painting.

The earth trapped us but the ceiling had fallen, creating the most wonderful skylight.

I would never take fresh air for granted ever, ever again.

I longed for rain.

I begged for the sun.

I craved the moon and stars and—

I gasped as soft lips slammed over mine.

Laughter spilled into my mouth as Mollie kissed me with great smacking affection before pulling away and kissing Rachel.

Rachel threw her free arm around her friend and kissed her back.

It wasn’t romantic or lustful but pure emotion bubbling free in the only way it could...love and gratitude.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Rachel flung her head back, basking in the dusk as if it was the hottest summer day. “Goddamn, it’s good to be out of there!”

Mollie chuckled and gave me a soft smile. “Good spotting, Ily. You saved our lives.”

I blushed. “Just luck.”