Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60447 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60447 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Yeah.
It’s nice here.
PAIN.
Pain unlike anything I’ve ever felt creeps into my body as my conscious brain comes back to life.
It starts as a sharp pain in my chest, and then expands out until it becomes a roaring inferno tearing through my body, clutching every one of my organs with its fiery hands. I’ve never felt anything like it, and as I open my mouth to scream, no sound comes out. The bitter taste of blood swims around in my mouth and my breathing is shallow.
Is this how it feels right before you die?
Is this the end for me?
“I’ve got you,” A familiar voice calls past my attempt to wail in pain. “I’m goin’ to get you out. Do you hear me? Hold on. Baby, don’t let go.”
Let go of what? I’m right here?
Pressure on my chest as my muffled cries turning to agonized gasps. It hurts. Why is he doing that when it hurts so damned bad? I want to yell at him to stop, but nothing is coming out. He’s pushing so hard, making it difficult to breathe, and I can taste blood in my mouth. I try to lift my hand to stop him, but it won’t move.
Why is nothing working?
What is happening?
MY EYES FLUTTER OPEN and at first, the only thing I can see is darkness. I wonder if I’m alone, or maybe I’m dead because not a single sound can be heard. It feels like it takes hours for my brain to kick into gear, even though it has only been mere seconds. It’s as if someone is slowly opening a door, and inch by inch, you can start to make sense of what’s inside.
“Addison?”
Cade’s voice is clearer now, and I slowly blink to try to focus on him. He’s staring down at me, and the only thing I can see is a dim light and the outline of his face. I know it’s him, I can feel his presence, but it’s so dark I’m almost beside myself with the urge to fight a level of panic over the situation.
“Can you hear me?”
Slowly, I nod my head.
My body is cold, and I’m shivering. I feel wet, and even though there appears to be a blanket on the lower half of me, I don’t feel in the least bit warm.
“I’m here. I’m goin’ to get you out. You have to hold on. Do you hear me?”
“C-c-c-cold,” I croak and even that minimal movement has my throat burning.
“I know you are, but it’s because you’re burning up.”
Burning up?
“You got shot. Fuck.”
His voice breaks, and it kills me that I can’t see him.
“I’m...I’m okay.” I whisper, but we both know that’s not the truth.
I’m not okay. Nothing in my body feels okay. Everything hurts, from my head to my toes, and if I don’t stop shivering soon, I’m afraid my body will pass out just from sheer lack of energy. There is a heaviness in my chest that makes me feel that with every breath I take, I’m supporting a large brick. My body is trying with everything it has just to lift that chest for a breath, a mere breath.
It hurts.
God dammit it hurts.
“Hurts,” I gasp, trying to bring a hand to the pressure on my chest, as if that will take it away.
“I know. I know it does. I’m gettin’ you out of here. Jackson will come. I’m not goin’ to let anything happen to you.”
I squeeze his hand weakly when he lifts mine, and I hope it’s enough to reassure him because I know right now, he’s deathly afraid. So am I. I can feel my body shutting down, each piece of me slowly shrinking within itself, until eventually, I won’t be able to hold my eyes open, and the darkness will take me, only I might not return.
That is terrifying.
“Cade,” I manage, forcing every ounce of strength into my words. “If anything happens to me, make sure my baby girl knows how much I love her.”
“No,” he rasps, taking my face. “I’m not tellin’ her because nothin’ with happen to you. Do you hear me?”
His voice cracks, and it breaks my heart.
We both know this situation is terrible, and I might not come out the other side.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “For getting us into this.”
Stroking a finger down my cheek, he murmurs low. “Don’t you ever be sorry. You’re brave, incredible, and passionate. You have shown love for someone you don’t even know. You risked your life for a girl in this container because you couldn’t leave her. You’re the bravest, most fearless woman I’ve ever met.”
“I...Is she okay?”
I can’t see anything else because I can’t move my head enough to look around.
“She’s sleeping,” he assures me, “but she’s perfectly okay. I’ll make sure I get her out when I get you out.”
“Promise me,” I beg, my eyes fluttering closed again.