Chapter Twenty-One
ALLEY
PRESENT DAY
The pounding at the door yanks me back to reality—slamming into me, sharp and unwelcome.
I flinch.
“Alley!”
There’s more banging, but I can’t move.
“Al, I’m coming in!”
My eyes lock on the ceiling—smooth, white, empty. I stare at nothing, but it feels like a mirror, like I’m staring back at my soul. Nothingness.
There’s nothing left. Nothing more I can give. Nothing more I can do. Nothing left to live for.
I’m helpless.
Alone.
And scared out of my mind.
“Alley! Hey, Al. What’s going on? You okay? Come here.”
I’m being pulled up, but I don’t want to be. I want to stay here. I want to keep staring at the nothing.
Strong arms wrap around me, and gut-wrenching sobs deafen my ears. Are those mine?
Hands cup my face, thumbs swiping away my tears. I’m on the couch now, a body beside me.
“Jesus, Al. Talk to me. What’s going on? Where’s Jensen?”
The soft sounds of shushing fills the air as my head presses against a chest, my tears soaking the shirt beneath me.
Then, slowly, everything calms.
It numbs.
I blink and take a deep, shaky breath—one that feels like my first in minutes. My pulse steadies, and my breathing begins to even out.