“This isn’t worth it.”
My head snaps to the side and I sway forward, gripping Kyzen’s hand before he can turn from me. The voided, distant glare he gives me has a shuddering gasp falling from my lips.
“Kyzen. Don’t leave me here. Don’t abandon me.”
His eyes give me nothing as he snatches his hand away with a sneer.
“You’re the one who abandoned me when you decided you needed more than just me. How can I abandon someone who wasn’t really mine?”
“No, Kyzen, please.”
I tumble forward to all fours. It takes multiple attempts to get to my feet. Pain pulses through me with every move I make, and their laughter has more beating in my chest.
“Sorry, little burden. We’re going to need our souls back now. Do what you do, dear Death.”
My gaze snaps to Creed’s grunt. My wobbly legs and numb feet stumble countlessly as I try my hardest to race for them and the light slipping through the door.
“Creed…wait—”
He waves his hand through the air and my agonized inhale echoes around the room. Everything within me shivers. My literal being feels like it’s snapping back inside of me from four different directions.
Nothing about the slivers is the same.
They’re fractured. Torn.Wrong.
Like they don’t belong to me anymore.
I fall statue still as they nod to one another and walk out the door. Desperation shoves me forward and I trip over myself as I rush toward the fading light.
Get out of here.
Reach that light.
I can make it.
I can reach it.
I need to get out.
I’ll run. Far, far away.
My palm slams against a smooth, solid surface.
“No.”
I step back, and my shoulders shake with every clipped and frantic breath. The darkness descends around me once again and my eyes slam shut as a hum engulfs my thoughts.
No, no, no, no.
My hands snatch my roots as I bellow into the black abyss until I feel faint.
True, punishing, unfightable fear takes hold. It swallows me whole.
I allow it. I have no other choice but to give in.
You’re better off alone.
Just give up.
