Page 31 of Feast

I swung the large butcher knife I kept on my tray of tools, driving it deep into Ray’s skull, silencing him. His eyes rolled as he slumped forward, blood trickling from the weapon. Felix dropped his gun and turned to look at me. “You could’ve at least waited until he told us more.”

I shook my head. “No…we know enough.” My eyes rose to him. “Toro has Indi…which means we don’t have much time.” I stopped, realizing the danger she was in.” I need to find her—” Felix stopped me as I tried to rush past.

I glared at him, daring him to stop me.

“Easy.”

I shoved his arm back.

Felix sighed. “Look, Spider has connections that get him close to Toro. And Kief knows your face. Let Spider find out where they’re keeping Indi.”

I scoffed. “You really expect me to just let that fucker do all the work while I just sit here and fucking wait?”

Not a fucking chance.

“No. I expect you to get your shit together, because the second he does find her, she’s going to need you, Haze.” He stepped closer, offering the handgun to me. “I know you’re angry, but let us help. And try not to burn the world…yet.”

I can’t make any promises.

I slapped his weapon away. “Keep your gun. I plan on killing Kief with my bare hands.” I looked down at Ray’s lifeless body when a wicked idea came into my mind. “Do me a favor, hermano.” I smiled, tilting my head. “Don’t dispose of him. I have something much better in mind.” He nodded as I walked away, brushing my hair back.

Just hold on, Indi…I’m fucking coming for you.

INDI

My body shivered and burned at the same time, sweat smothering my skin as I struggled to breathe. “Haze…” I whispered into the dark void. “Haze…” My eyelids fluttered, too heavy for me to see. My heart raced and I felt as if I were dying. My back burned from the brand Toro had left on me, my skin tight and crusted from how deep he’d pressed the brand into my flesh.

Haze…please…help me…help me.

My arm trembled as I reached out into the darkness, reaching for him. “Haze…”

My consciousness faded away as I slipped into absolute darkness. The recent memory of what happened played through my mind as I felt my body fall slowly into a pool of shadows. I remembered Ray showing up in my dressing room…and being hit…but the rest was a blur. There was a car…and the sound of rain…and I remember seeing Kief’s face. But the rest faded away like ink in water.

I don’t understand…what happened?

My body felt weightless…drifting in an endless pool of dread. A faint light glistened high above me, its brightness rippling in the water that surrounded me. I opened my mouth to scream, but my voice vanished,, and I felt myself choking.

Haze…please!

I reached out, struggling to reach for that light.

Save me!

“Indi.” His distant voice hit my ears and I felt a pressure in my chest. “Indi.”

Haze.

I kicked my legs, fighting the weight of the water. The darkness tried to drag me down, but something pulled at my heart, and I knew I had to keep fighting. I couldn’t give up…not yet.

Please…wait for me. Wait for me! I’m right here. I’m right here!

I extended my arm, gasping as I felt my fill with death. But I kept pushing, staring up at that burning light.

No! Not yet…not fucking yet.

Haze’s voice began to grow in volume as the pressure in my chest grew into a rhythmic pulse. And just as I was breaching the surface of that heavy darkness, I opened my mouth and gasped, feeling the cold air filled my lungs.

And for the first time in what felt like forever…I was able to slowly open my eyes.