My name is still being called, but its volume grows quieter as I pick up my pace. Although, I don’t know why I try. Dad will never let me win. For all I know, he’s already in front of me, waiting until I cross his path to tackle me into the sodden soil.
He’ll rape me to claim his prize and then throw me over his shoulder to share his riches. This is how it goes.
That’s the name of the game.
But I pass one of the few key markers etched into a large boulder and almost stumble to a stop.
I’ve only ever gotten this far once…
I can hear the soft trickle of water from the stream up ahead, guiding me like a beacon of light.
I follow the sound, running faster than I ever have before.
There!
I see it!
Pumping my legs harder, I race to the edge of the river, weeping tears of joy when its rushing water meets my eyes.
I made it. I fucking made it.
Looking over my shoulder, I expect to see their angry, violent sneers at my victory, but they aren’t there, and they’ll never be there again.
They can’t touch me now! No one can ever touch me again!
I made it.
I slow to a stop, choking out the most joyful sob of my life as I approach the ledge, but at the last second, my ankle gives out, sending me straight into the roaring water. The icy blast burns my skin as I sink and glide under the current.
Breaking the surface, I take a gulp of air, but it doesn’t last long before I’m dragged under again. I reach for something, anything, to bring me above the rushing white waves, but my fingers grasp at nothing.
Bubbles burst from my lips as I go tumbling against boulders and branches, the pain keeping me from outstretching my hands to grab onto the twigs above my head.
Panic begins to take over, and I find myself screaming against the current. Flames burn up my chest as water seeps into my lungs. I can feel my heart pounding in my ears as it fights for life, but my body is slowing, growing tired as I battle the surge.
As the current continues to throw me against the walls of the river, I can sense my pulse slowing. My mouth falls open, drawing in more water as a dying chuckle escapes my overfilled lungs.
It’s a devastating feeling, realizing you don’t want to die as you feel your life slipping away.
My vision begins to dim, blackness surrounding my sight as I let myself go.
I finally made it.
And now I can breathe.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
ROMAN
Saturday
March 27, 2021
Don’t do this!
Don’t fucking do this to me!
“Amira! Wake up!”
