“You…d-did,” are his last words. He lets out one final exhale and the world falls down with them.
I did?No…no. I would never. This wasn’t my doing.
My legs can barely stay steady as I force myself to my feet, looking across the field at my dead squad. But where is Cameron?
Did Cameron do this?
My jaw works and my entire body goes numb with adrenaline.
“Emery…” Cameron says slowly, his voice startling me.
I whirl on him, lifting my hand in defense. It’s then that I realize I’m holding a black combat knife.What…
Cameron takes a slow step toward me with his palms facing me. “Emery, are you with me?” His eyes are wild, watery, and uncertain. I’ve never seen him look at me like this before.
I blink a few times and turn back around, taking in the blood and death behind me. Horror creeps into my spine.
“Did I…” I whisper, blood and spit dripping from my jaw.
Cameron’s stare weakens, but he takes another step toward me. “Give me the knife, Em.” His voice alters, as if shadows themselves weave between us.
“I can hear them,” I whisper, voice scratchy.
“Who?” he asks hesitantly.
My smile trembles as tears fall from my chin. “Everyone. AllI hear are their screams.” I press a hand to my forehead. The air stagnates and suffocates me.
My mind feels like it’s about to unravel.
Cameron’s lips firm and he rushes forward, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tight. His warmth floods me. My arms fold over his neck.
Cameron strokes my head in long, soothing motions. “You’re okay now. I love you, Emery. Please come back,” he says in such a broken voice that breaks my heart.
A few seconds pass before clarity starts to flood through me.
“Cameron?” I say as I let my arms move higher up on his back. My right forearm sliding into something wet and sticky. My throat knots.“Cameron?”I say more urgently.
He’s bleeding.
34
EMERY
A panicked breathescapes me as I try to jerk from his hold and see to his wound. Cameron only firms his grip around me and doesn’t let go as I thrash in his arms.
“You’re hurt! Cameron, let go… Cam, let go!” I cry into his shoulder before letting my entire body go slack. He cradles me against his chest and buries his face into the crook of my neck.
“I’m okay.” His voice is low.
He isn’t though. He’s the furthest thing from okay, and apparently so am I.
A sob tears from my throat and shakes my shoulders.
“Shhh. It’s okay, baby. I’m here. You’re going to be okay.” He struggles to his feet with me in his arms and starts carrying me back to the hangar.
Against my best judgment, I look to the field once more to see my fallen comrades. Only to find them gone. Not a speck of blood, torn flesh, or decapitated head.
My fingers curl into Cameron’s shirt.
