I couldn’t breathe.
“Link?” she whispered, quietly enough for me to wonder whether I’d imagined it.
No. No. No.It couldn’t be. There must be a misunderstanding. Surely.
She swallowed with much effort. “Link?” she said, louder this time, but it came out scruffy.
There was only one way to describe what overcame me: sheer panic.
I took a step back, stumbling over someone’s outstretched leg but catching myself before I hit the ground.
“I can explain,” she whispered.
I kept moving backward. I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to hear it. I couldn’t, even if I wanted it to, I couldn’t because the noise in my head grew louder. I took another step back, needing space.
I shook my head. It was the best I could do in an attempt to clear it of the fog setting in. But when it was no use, I spun around and moved forward this time, as quickly as I could. Dodging people, cables, legs, and tables, I needed to get out. I needed to get out of this oxygen-stealing building. I needed to breathe before the tightening around my lungs killed me.
This could not be happening.
Elizabeth? Lily? No.
“Link?” A foreign name with her familiar voice. “Lincoln, please,” she begged, nearer now.
I sped up. The bright red light of the exit sign was in sight. I slipped through the crowd shuffling at the doorway.
“Let me explain.” She ran up to me.
“Explain what?” The words burst out of me. “That you’re…Lily?” My mouth was completely dry. I struggled to even speak. “This doesn’t make sense. It can’t be. It…”
She nodded, her mouth opening but saying nothing.
With enough effort, I managed to swallow and spit out, “Have you been lying to me this whole time?”
“I… I…” she stammered, her arms curling around herself.
My hand shot up to my chest as it physically ached. “I confided in you, Elizabeth. Lily. Whatever the heck your name is.”
“I—” she started again, her arms tightening.
“Did you know it was me?” My voice trembled.
Again, her mouth opened, but nothing coherent came out.
She knew.
I spun around and walked straight into Claire and Dean. They looked between Elizabeth and me as I pushed past them.
“I need to go. Please let me go.” My eyes stung with unwanted tears. I hadn’t cried about anyone, not since my father.
I don’t know what happened next because I was already in my car and driving out of Thunderstruck’s parking lot.
33
LINCOLN
[51 weeks ago]
@pancakesareelite:
