33. Briar
33
brIAR
E verything is deathly calm when I open my eyes.
The whole world is gray and misty. The taste of sand and saltwater lingers in my mouth. My cheek is pressed against some abrasive surface. More sand.
I lift my head. There’s a ringing in my ears and a heaviness in my body, like I’m still buried underwater.
I see Dimitri lying next to me. His face is pressed against the sand, and his eyes are closed.
I ignore the sluggishness in my limbs and move closer to him.
“Dimitri?” I whisper. When he doesn’t open his eyes, I tug on his hair. “ Dimitri ?”
He’s paler than I’ve ever seen him. I hold his shoulders and shake him.
I look around for help, but we’re on a secluded island. It’s just the two of us here.
I look back at Dimitri. He looks so still.
So lifeless.
A scream rips from my throat.