I always wondered if the whole life flashing before your eyes when you’re about to die thing was true. Seems like it’s wrong.
All I see is Zack.
Chapter 22
Zack
This is how she died. It wasn’t quick, and it sure as fuck wasn’t peaceful. My sister died in agony, and now, I’m about to join her.
There’s a ringing in my head, and a throbbing pain all over my body, including in my ear where the bullet clipped me. A tightness grows in my chest where the water pushes against me. It’s nothing compared to the pain in my heart from the fear of losing Chloe.
She’s taken from me by the water, and I struggle to find her again. It’s so dark down here. But she’s my light. I have to find her.
My body is beaten all over by the rocks and whatever else is in this fucking river. My chest is tight. My eyes burn.
Everything in me is telling me to let go. This is what I wanted after all.
But dying will have to wait until she’s safe.
I see something moving and force myself toward it.
Chloe.
She’s swimming for the surface.
Yes. I knew she could do it, I—fuck!Her body goes limp,and I only just manage to get to her before she’s pulled away. She looks at me, and I swear she fucking smiles before she closes her eyes.
She doesn’t get to leave me.
I was a selfish prick asking her to kill me, but that doesn’t mean she gets to die with me.
I grab hold of her and swim.
She keeps slipping from my arms as I pull her to the surface.
It feels like an eternity away.
Finally, I breach it.
Using all the strength left in me, I hold her head above the water. The current is strong, but we’re near to the bank. If I can just get a grip on something.
Water rushes into my mouth as my head dips under every few seconds. Chloe remains limp in my arms. I hold her tight, and reach out to the roots hanging off the edge of the bank.
Please, if there’s a higher power out there, please listen to me and save her. You can take me after. Send me to hell. Tear me limb from limb. Strip the flesh from my bones. Do whatever the fuck you want. Just please don’t take her.
Before my head goes under again, I strain my arm out and manage to grab onto a thick tree root. My shoulder burns as the river tries to drag me away, but I hold on tight, and pull myself closer to the bank. I find some footing and use that to propel myself up and push Chloe out of the water.
Thank fuck.
The way she lies there not moving has me panicking again. She still needs me. I climb out of the water, and collapse next to her.
“Chloe? Little sinner?” She doesn’t respond.
I drag her away from the water and lay her on her back. Dropping to my knees, I start mouth-to-mouth.
When I told her I loved her, I wasn’t lying, and seeing her drowning has made me realize something.
I want to live.
