A deep sigh. “Fine.”
I couldn’t make sense of anything.
What the hell did this mean?
Was my brain playing tricks? Giving me an angst-loaded argument, all for what? To keep me strained enough to stay lucid? Or were there truly two people trying to save me?
“There. You okay?”
“I’ll be okay once we get them out of here. Right, hand me the wand.”
A pause.
“Good. Take me closer.”
A few seconds later, the hissing began. I wanted to raise my head and see. But all I could do was bask in the meagre happiness the sound gave and slip again.
The brightness suddenly flared, cutting past my eyelids, imprinting on my retinas. No talking, no bickering, only the licking of flames against whatever enemy it destroyed.
Time skipped again—like a faulty record, jumping ahead, screeching backward, never playing the track in order.
“You’re almost there,” the man said.
Almost on cue, a snapping sounded, followed by a skeletonish groan.
“Ah, see. How little you trust me.”
More shuffling. “I take it back. You’re a girl, and you know how to use power tools.”
“Damn right, I do.”
Silence fell except for the occasional footfall and clang of metal on metal.
I sighed as the tempers eddying around me faded as companionship and victory stole their frustration. Inner peace settled, and I gave up trying to hold on.
The excitement disappeared, giving me a body that was cold, hungry, and riddled with pain.
I’m ready to go now. I’m ready to leave.
But then another sense came back to life.
The sense of touch.
“Kite...can you hear me?”
The softest warmth flittered over my cheek and forehead.
I wanted to moan with sheer pleasure. To answer their question and prove I hadn’t given up, no matter how much I craved sanctuary.
“You’re okay. You’ll be fine.” Warmth darted over my chest, my arm.
Then the sweetest voice whispered in my ear. “I’ve got you, Jet. You’re safe now. Just hang on.”
Chapter Seven
Nila
“SHE’S IN THE bath.”
