Fuck. Fuck…
“Seth, wake up,” she said.
Kaydon sat back on his heels, tears in his eyes.
Adria could see the defeat on his face.
“Fuck you, don’t do that,” she said, pushing herself forward, breathing into Seth’s body. Forcing life into his lungs.
Bryson kept going, and Adria could feel Seth rocking with every thrust, but nothing was changing.
After a few more minutes, Bryson stopped.
Adria glanced over at him and saw he was shaking, tears streaming down his face. She moved, pressing her hands into Seth’s chest. She pressed and pressed until her arms burned.
She willed her body to keep going but her muscles started to go limp.
“SETH,” she screamed.
Arms wrapped around her, and she struggled to stay with him.
It was like her mother’s funeral all over again.
“Stop, let me go—let me,” she cried.
“Adria, he’s gone,” Eric said in her ear.
She wanted to hit him, to push him away, but his grip held her still.
She thought about the waters, how the four of them had found each other even in the dark.
Through impossible odds, they had helped each other to the surface.
Not as individuals but together they had fought. And God, she knew she didn’t deserve them, but fuck.
She thought of that little priest.“Like most good things, it just took a little faith and time.”
And she had faith that Seth didn’t deserve to die today.
He needed more time.
Theyneeded more time.
When she jumped into that pool all those years ago, Adria had emerged from those waters with a vow never to lose control.
Control kept her safe. Control kept her alive.
But in these last few weeks, Adria realized she didn’t want control. She wanted love.
And control and love didn’t mix.
So, for the first time in her life, Adria let go.
Really let go.
Her body went limp in Eric’s arms.
If Seth died, she would spend the rest of her life living with Bryson and Kaydon. She would learn with them. Live with them, grow with them.
