I need to get to Emma.
As I force myself to put one foot in front of the other, my lungs burn and my mouth goes dry from breathing in too much too quickly. Still, I push through the discomfort and climb the steep hill toward the main road.
Despite not being able to see well, I can make out colors. There’s a gray house three houses down and I run.
Don’t hesitate.
I run up to the house, not caring to see if I’m being noticed or watched. There’s a bike right where he said it would be. I grab the handlebars and jump on, pedaling out of the yard. The bridge is close. So close.
I fly down the road with rain pelting me.
My bones ache from the fall, pain shooting through my joints with every movement. My hands are numb from gripping the handlebars so tightly.
But it’s all worth it because there she is. She’s sitting on the ledge.
My Emma.
I call out to her. I scream her name.
But I’m too far away.
She doesn’t react. She doesn’t move or look in my direction. Her focus is below.
I yell again as I near and this time her head moves ever so slightly. Then she stands. She’s turning.
I’m almost there.
She slips, screaming.
I throw the bike down, sprinting toward the spot. Her hands are grabbing at the slippery stone wall to no avail. Her fingers slip right off.
Her hand is outstretched in midair.
Her eyes are frightened.
I reach for her, leaning over the edge. My body is barely hanging on, but my hand grasps for hers.
My fingers lock on to her wrist.
I did it.
I breathe a sigh of relief, staring down at her wild hair and hoping this is enough to fix everything that was broken.
She grabs on to me with her other hand, and I pull her up.
I don’t know what’s going through her head or if she even realizes it’s me. But none of that matters. The only thing that matters is she’s safe.
My heart relaxes as she lifts her leg onto the ledge.
When her body is fully over and she’s sitting on the road, the world begins to fade . . .
35
MYLES
April 3rd, 2024
It’s early, and I’m exhausted from practice yesterday. I’ve been working harder than I ever have in my life to prove myself.
