Tucker knocks on the doorjamb but doesn’t pause before coming into the hospital room. I can’t bring myself to look at him. Even though we’re not identical, my twin is a painful reminder of who I was before hell descended upon me.
“Hey, brother. Look who’s here.”
I don’t even have to look to know it’s her. I can sense her like an animal can sense a storm headed their way. That’s what she is to me—a storm sent to sweep me away and carry me into a past that no longer exists and a future that will never come to pass.
“Hey, Dylan.” Emma’s gorgeous face comes into view as she steps in front of me. Her golden hair is swept out of her face and braided down over her shoulder. The light dusting of freckles on her cheeks is apparent even in the dim hospital light.
I don’t respond. What can I say? I’m not who she’s looking for. Not anymore. He died a horrible death in that cave when he was ripped out of me, leaving only a shadow.
She steps up beside the bed and reaches down to touch my hand. The moment her skin touches mine, I jolt away. My breathing turns ragged, and I clench both hands into fists as I close my eyes tightly.
I’m not in danger.
I’m not in danger.
But no matter how many times I repeat the mantra, over and over again, I’m still unable to put a leash around the panic clawing through me.
Fight. I need to fight. They’ll kill me if I don’t.
I’m not in danger.
They’re going to take what little is left of me.
I’m not in danger.
“Brother, breathe.”
“Get away from me!” I roar, shooting up off the bed. Everything around me is gone, and all I see is red. My hand closes around skin, and I hold on.
A woman screams.
Hands grip my shoulders and shove me back down. But I will not be kept down. Not again. Never again.
“Stay down!” a man yells.
He’d like that. They all would. But I won’t give up without a fight.
“Dylan, it’s me!” That woman screams again. Her voice is familiar, but they’d want it to be, right? A trick to keep me from fighting.
“You’re hurting her, Dylan!”
“Dylan, you’re safe.” That woman whispers to me.
The red begins to dissipate, and my surroundings return. I’m not in the pit—I’m in a hospital room.
I’m not alone…I’m with— Oh, no. I release the hold I have on Emma’s arm, giving Riley the ability to rip her away from me. Tucker releases me, and he steps back too.
They’re all staring at me like the monster that I am.
“Get her out of here!” I yell. “Now!”
“Dylan, it’s—” Emma starts.
Hot tears sting my eyes. “Get out! I don’t want to see you!”
Breathing is nearly impossible with the vise around my lungs, but I do what I can to draw in ragged breath after ragged breath while Riley ushers Emma out. Tucker remains where he is, but I barely see him as I curl onto my side, one hand gripping the hospital railing with such force my knuckles turn white.
I could have killed her.
