Page 450 of Coal Hearts

All over.

Pain.

Pain.

Pain!

I screamed—

Chapter Six

...............................

Henri

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THAT SCREAM.

It poured into my ears and struck a match in my dark-soaked heart.

I ran.

I no longer knew who I was or what I’d become down there.

But I knew that scream.

Every part of my soul recognised it just as I’d recognised her that first night.

Different.

Familiar.

Mine.

I tripped and almost fell over a fallen tree.

My bare feet found every sharp stick and agonising debris.

I ran on dregs.

I powered on fumes.

But I didn’t stop.

The scream came again, followed by two others.

Fuck!

I raced faster, climbing the hill and cutting to the left toward the cliffs.

Birds chattered in the trees.

Clouds clotted as night quickly fell.

Exhaustion didn’t touch how I truly felt.

My endurance had peaked an hour or so ago as I’d swam out of the caves, fighting the tide and fearing I’d drown. I’d made it just before a heavy wave slipped through the crack and prevented any others from exiting.