Chapter 15
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
CHRISTINE
I grip the steel with white knuckles to keep from throwing myself down after Mylo.
I heard “Cut,” but I haven’t moved.
What the fuck is happening?!
My breath won’t slow down.
A ghost of that moment plays behind my eyes.
Mylo slides for the door. It’s the first time I see how high we really are, double the tops of the trees. Panic grips my chest; instinct takes over; something primal and wild screams, If he falls, it’s your fault.
That pop of his shoulder, that groan of pain.
And then those calm, calculated eyes turn up at me and say Fuck you.
His wrist yanks through my grip.
I’ll never forgive myself, I’ll never forgive myself, spirals through my mind even as I remind myself, He’s alive, he’s alive.
Only once I see Mylo standing, walking, and accepting help from the stunt crew can I move. As the rig lowers, my breath finally slows. I don’t feel like I’m spinning out anymore.
But I’m tense.
I need to get to Mylo.
I just need to get to Mylo.
While the rig is still moving, I drop from the fuselage to the net, ignoring the crew’s warning cries. Once the net is less than ten feet off the ground, I jump down and catch the impact in a roll—at least I’ve learned that much.
It’s all I can do to jog instead of sprint, forcing myself to slow as I approach. He doesn’t need me barreling at him. His citrus scent gets stronger as I get closer, and I can see him chatting with the rest of the stunt crew.
I calm slightly.
“Mylo, I—”
His eyes flash toward me, full of hate.
Then Lana steps between us, having beaten me to checking on Mylo.
“Christine, that was fantastic! Just… inspired! Of course Electra has her hero’s code, yes, but look, look at these lengths she’ll go to!
I like what you’re finding with this relationship between Electra and Melinoe; I want to talk to you and Haley about some of our scenes for tomorrow.
There are a few directions I want to push. ”
I only half-hear Lana’s words, and my eyes remain on Mylo. He’s staunchly ignoring me.
I guess I deserve that.
The sickening pop of his shoulder echoes in my ears, but it looks fine now.
He has ice on it.
And he certainly doesn’t want to talk to me.
I turn my attention back to Lana, having missed half of what she said.
“…the best effect. Get me into your head. What’s Electra thinking in that moment, when Melinoe is dangling in her grasp?”
“It just… seemed like something Electra would do.” My voice sounds far away.
“The genius of simplicity. That first take is looking incredible, so I’d love to take some risks in the second. I was thinking—”
I glance at Mylo again, guilt coiling in my gut. Of course he’d agree to go again. “Do we have to do a second take?”
Lana stops short, surprised. “Well… no, I don’t think so. Is something the matter?”
“I’m sorry, Lana, I just—I don’t know if I can get into the headspace again.”
“Oh, of course. Well… how about I go review the footage one more time? If I can live with that, we’ll move on.”
I nod. “I’d really appreciate that.”
As Lana heads back to check the footage, I accept a water bottle from a PA and drink it on autopilot. My pointed ears twist slightly as the near one homes in on Mylo’s voice.
I hardly parse his words; it’s just comforting to hear him chatting with Haley, hear that he’s okay—or at least putting on a brave face.
Lana comes back a few minutes later, looking excited.
“You know what, Christine? You. Are. A. Genius. That take is lightning in a bottle. So, so… raw! So passionate! I want to capitalize on this energy. I talked to the crew, and the daylight’s actually perfect for us to shoot the scene where Electra catches up with Melinoe to get the stone back.
Should be ready for you in an hour, tops. ”
“I’m feeling a bit off; I wouldn’t want to waste your time…”
“You’re not off, Christine, you’re on! And tapping into something totally primal. Just wait until the cameras are rolling again, you’ll find your flow.”
“…Yeah. Thanks, Lana.”
She nods and smiles. “Lightning in a bottle, Christine.” She winks and turns away to give orders to the teams scrambling to adapt to the change in plans.
I glance over at Mylo.
This is going to go over just great…