Darkness slides over my eyes, and the next time they open, I’m staring up at the same lights. I jerk my head, squinting, shoving, pushing at the person on top of me, and I know they’re there because I can feel them moving. I can feel their heavy weight on my thighs, a prodding between—
“—get her ready for you—”
What is happening?
When did I get on the floor?
“Stop.”
Why can’t I move?
Why can’t I see?
There’s a weight on my collar holding me down. The first one moves off my legs, and an even heavier someone sinks onto my thighs. My mouth opens. I try to scream. I try to punch. The grimy floor is fucking freezing on my back. There’s a painful pinch, a pressure…
“Oh, yeah—”
Help.
Darkness swims in my vision, my head so cloudy that I think I know what’s happening, butgod-fucking-dammit, this has to be a nightmare.
This can’t be real.
This can’t be happening right now.
My eyes are on fire, breaths both short and long all at once.
Is someone…
“Stop. No—”
Please stop.
Get off of me.
I can’t feel the floor anymore.
Can’t feel the air.
I keep waiting to see my mother’s face, to see her and Kelsey standing there waiting on me at the edge because this has to be how I die. This can’t be something I’ll eventually remember. This isn’t an event I’ll live after—
Someone is yelling.
It’s nothing more than an echo. The weight on my legs alleviates. I groan and attempt to kick, punch, or shove, though my limbs are glued to the floor. I open my mouth to screamagain. Something wet stains my face, and I realize there’s something equally wet on my neck, my stomach.What is this?I want to get up. I need to run.
My eyes flicker and squint at the amber lights. A person moves, their shadow coming between my face and the light. Still, I can’t make out their features. They’re a blur.
And as I feel arms scoop me up, vomit pools in my mouth.
Blue hair flashes in my sightline.
Blue hair.
“—got you, Bonnie,” I hear them whisper.
Air evacuates my lungs, and the world goes dark.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
