Arlo
Darkness obscures all thatI can see. A wooden beam pins my hips; the pressure is so intense I can hardly breathe through the pain. Distant voices come from what feels like a whole other world away. The air is thin and I can’t seem to get enough to fill my lungs. Goddess, I can’t breathe.
“Help!” I cry out, then cough on a mouthful of dirt.
My heartbeat thunders in my ears.
The darkness won’t lift. Can anyone even hear my cries?
Did the whole barn come down on me? How long will I be trapped under here?
Tears sting my eyes.
“Please!”
A ray of light momentarily blinds me as the debris shifts above me.
“Lo, I’m here. I’ve got you.”
The crushing pressure across my hips lifts, and I suck in a gasp. The darkness around me breaks, revealing Gunnar kneeling over me, looking like a rugged, bearded angel. Hoisting me into his strong, warm arms, he carries me from the barn.The crisp air burns my lungs with every deep breath. Birds sing without a care in the world. Against my ear, Gunnar’s heart thumps unsteadily.
I’m safe. Here. With him.
I surrender, nestling my head against his chest, gripping the fabric of his sweater.
“Is he all right?” Mum cries.
If I had the strength, I’d have done everything I could to reassure her.
Gunnar’s chest vibrates, making my heart skip. “I will take care of him.”
“Get him upstairs,” Dad’s voice says. Thank the goddess, it sounds like he’s doing better than I feel. “Mum—”
“I’m on it, dears. You get him situated, Gunnar, and I’ll tend to his wounds,” says Nan.
What about Dad? Wasn’t he injured as well?
“Dad first,” I say, coughing on the dust lingering in my airway.
“I’m fine, Lo. Hurry!”
Everything hurts. I close my eyes, trying to block out the pain.
When I open them, my bedsheets are soft beneath my aching body. Warmth spreads through every limb, soothing the pain. A cool, damp cloth runs over my face.
“Lo?” Gunnar’s deep, low voice has my eyes opening.
He’s sitting beside me, cleaning my face with a washcloth. To my right, Nan has her hands outstretched, golden magic flowing from her fingers and powering the healing ward surrounding me.
“Feeling any better, dear?” Nan asks.
I clear my throat. “Yeah. Lots.”
“Your injuries have healed,” Gunnar says. “You’ll be all right.” There’s a tremor in his voice; it’s almost like he’s reminding himself of that as well.
I get the feeling he’s as shaken up as I am.
“You need to rest and take it easy,” Nan says. “You used a lot of your magic reserves.”
