“Hallelujah.”
Her voice trembles through the verses, cracking on the lines that cut too deep. More breath than melody. More prayer than song.
By the time she reaches the chorus, my tears spill freely.
I grieve.
Everything I’ve lost.
Everything I’ll never live to see.
She holds me through it, arms wrapped around me like she’s trying to hold the world together.
She cries too.
And somewhere between the weeping and the war, her voice becomes the only thing that doesn’t hurt.
Chapter 58Annalise
By the second night, I finally charge my phone and text my brother back.
Tag:Are you good? Did you make it?
Tag:You better be alive.
Tag:I swear to god, if you’re dead and didn’t tell me…
Tag:Sis. Answer me. Proof of life or I’m driving over there myself.
Tag:In the car. Bringing Kenna. Last chance before we show up with flashlights, a trunk full of houseplants, and whatever the hell she’s been manifesting this week.
I glance at the time stamp on the last message and my anxiety loosens when I see it was sent less than an hour ago. He was either bluffing or he didn’t make it far.
Me:Sorry. I’m here. I’m alive. You don’t need to come.
Me:It’s bad, Tag. I’ll tell you everything soon. But he needs me, so I might stay for a few weeks until we figure out a long-term plan.
Me:PS: I’m still mad at you.
His bubbles dance to life.
Tag:Jesus. Don’t ever ghost me again when you’re nearly 1000 miles away and only got your driver’s license two minutes ago.
Tag:Also, define bad…
Something in my throat sticks.
I peer over at the man beside me, fast asleep with an arm draped over his eyes.
Then I send a quick response and discard my phone.
Me:He’s sick. Tumor. Vision loss. Talk more soon.
The cell pings beside me, but I let it be for now.
Moonlight blankets the room in a faint pearly glow, highlighting chalky skin and a mop of overgrown light-brown hair. He’s still muscled and toned, relying on weight training and exercise to pass the time. In the corner of the bedroom, I spot a small rack of free weights, a yoga mat rolled tight, and a half-empty container of pre-workout powder tucked beside a scuffed kettlebell.
Chase moves when Toaster jumps on the bed and splays his paws over his thigh. One knee lifts, his arm falling away from his face as he stretches, stirring back to life.
