“We can’t unless we’re going to carry him, or he’ll run out of oxygen. Is he going to let us do that?”
“Yes,” Gem says.
“No,” I say.
“Fool,” Zhang says.
“Atlanta.” That’s Gem.
“I’m fine. Wouldja quit it?” What kind of husband will I be if I can’t do this? I need to get to the cup myself. “How much further?” I wheeze.
Each step burns. My legs have suddenly gained a thousand pounds apiece. I don’t think it’s safe for me to hang onto this rifle anymore.
“W-Wait. I just gotta … jus’ gotta put this down.” It clatters onto the stone. “I’ll come back for you, sweetheart.”
“Gods,” Zhang mutters. “C’mon, this way.”
Rushing water echoes against the walls and the sound grows louder the further we bury ourselves in this tomb. I don’t like how anything feels, as if the place could close in on us at any moment.
I wrinkle my nose while fighting to see the blurred path in front of me. “W-What’s that smell?”
“White sage,” Gem murmurs.
“Why does it smell like shit?” White sage is supposed to smell pure. It wards away negativity and evil spirits.
“Probably because this place is telling you to get out. You don’t have the right vibration, and you’re taking from it. It’s poisoning you,” Gem says.
“I’m not taking from it on purpose.” I know that doesn’t matter. Energy moves like water from one thing to the next. Lower vibrations absorb higher ones in an osmosis-like fashion. Right now, I’m the equivalent of a leech. “I just need … need some of that water and I’ll be fine.”
“Do not drink that water,” Zhang says.
“Stop bossing me around, Centaurus. I’ll drink the damn water if I want to.”
I can barely make either of them out anymore. Zhang is a giant red blob, and Gem is a thin one, but I still note their heads turning toward each other. I’d know Gem’s nod anywhere.
“Baby, you know I love you, yeah?” Gem says.
I smile. My lips feel like they’re moving through a face of molasses. “Yeah, baby.”
“Do it, Zhang,” he says.
“What the?—”
The crack against my temple feels weird, but I don’t have time to contemplate why. My world falls into blackness.
* * *
“C’mon, baby. Drink. Drink for me. You need to drink.”
First no one wanted me drinking anything, now I’m supposed to drink? Make up your damn minds. I can’t see anything, but there’s rough stone beneath me and soft hands prying my mouth open.
Wait. I know that voice. “Gem?”
“He’s awake. Zhang! He’s awake.”
“Not for long if you don’t get him to drink that,” a gruff voice says. Has to be Zhang.
I pat around and feel for the body I know so well. “Gem,” I rasp. The air’s thinner here, and it’s cold. The garbage scent is fucking potent. My stomach roils. “I’m gonna puke, Gem.”
