“Just a little further…”
The wind shifts, bringing Christine’s scent to my nose. My heart kicks faster, skin going hot.
Yeah, I’m still pretty fucking mad.
This might’ve been a bad idea. But I’m not going to leave Tyler hanging. I’ll be in and out, and Christine probably won’t even notice me.
I follow Tyler around to a folding table, ignoring the circle of cameras and lighting nearby.
Once the bottles are on the table, I tear open the plastic and pull out a few.
“That should get you started,” I say.
“Thank you so much! Do you need any?—”
“Quiet on the set!” Alejandro’s voice cuts through the air.
Shit. I could slink away, confident in my ability to be quiet. On a sound stage, I would. But with the forested path, all it takes is one crunchy stick and I’ll earn the whole crew’s ire. Safer to stay put.
Nothing to do but watch the scene, I guess. I finally turn my attention that way, noting Christine and Haley standing at the center.
The set designers have really outdone themselves this time, creating an incredible replica of Electra’s space plane landed in the clearing. Plants have been flattened and crushed to simulate the airflow of landing, and scattered debris hints at a recent fight.
The call-and-response begins, ending with Lana calling action.
Christine and Haley speak quietly, as befitting a tense scene, so I can’t hear them. That’s probably for the best.
I cross my arms and tap my fingers along my elbow, waiting for the scene to be over.
Christine grabs Haley’s arm, and my muscles go taut.
How could she, I think, shocked that my ire is at Haley. I try to take a deep breath—Haley’s on my side here, after all—but it feels like there’s a sandbag on my chest.
Christine pushes Haley back, pinning her to the plane.
My spine goes tighter.
It’s Electra and Melinoë,I remind myself.This has nothing to do with you.
Then Christine leans down and kisses Haley.
Pain lances through my chest.
I’m going to scream.
I’m going to vomit, I’m going to cry, I’m going to scream.
My hand clamps over my mouth, then I turn and run.
Into the woods, to the deeper part of the forest, away from people, away from everything, away from Haley, away from Christine.
I make it a hundred feet before the first sob breaks past my hand. I drop it and run faster, sprinting all out, weaving through trees, vaulting over fallen logs, sliding under low branches.
That pain radiates from my chest and my muscles tighten until it feels like I’m running through sand. I finally slow and step around behind a thick tree, leaning back against the trunk, breath ragged.
Tears streak my cheeks, and I stifle another sob.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
