Chapter 27
Twenty-Seven
DECLAN
Each day that passes I think is the worst day of my life. And still, every hour without Blue by our sides proves me wrong. I've swallowed vomit multiple times in just the past thirty minutes as my stress levels reach heights I have never experienced before.
I'm terrified of so many things, it's hard to keep my worries straight. There's a big reason I didn't fling myself out of the car as soon as we got here, and it's because I'm scared to lose another member of my family.
If I go rogue, I risk my friend, my brother, and my boyfriend. Then there's Levi and Kevin, whom I considered as I wrestled with my impulsive desire to rush out of the car. I'm beginning to consider them my friends, too. There's too much at stake to lose myself.
The rain has recently turned into heavy snowfall, for which I'm grateful. Our clothes are soaked through, and our shoes are their own lakes of water and mud.
Part of me really fucking hopes Blue isn't out here, because this is miserable and dangerous. There's nothing for miles. If anyone were to hear her scream, nobody is around to listen.
"Everyone okay?" Kevin asks over his shoulder. He's quieter now that the rain isn't drowning out all sounds.
There's an exchange of yeses while I bite the inside of my cheek and sweep my flashlight through the excessive growth of sunflowers. It's so fucking creepy how their heads are bowed as they tower over other dead plants.
This place is a goddamn hazard. Who manages this place? There were a few small sheds at the beginning of the first trail, but no big buildings for staff members.
I stumble when my shoulder clips Felix's. He's stopped and is looking at me with concern, which I really need him to stop doing. We're here for Blue. I'm fine.
"You okay?" he rumbles, warming my insides a little.
I huff and continue searching the area even while standing still. "Are you? I'm freezing and scared shitless, Felix. No, I'm not okay, and I won't be until we're holding Blue under a hot shower."
He grabs hold of my dripping hand and gives it a squeeze, not transferring any heat to me. Why didn't we pack any gloves? We really should have prepared better. What if our hands go numb and we need them to help Blue?
I glance at Felix in an attempt to calm my racing heart. He's our rock, the person we turn to when we need guidance.
"Something just moved!" Jared whisper-shouts, startling me into action. I run to catch up to him with Felix trailing behind me. "The sunflowers."
"An animal?" Roman wonders and narrows his eyes in the direction of Jared's flashlight. "Or wind?"
I don't see any more movement, so I point my light in the other direction to keep an eye on our backs. Don't want to be caught unaware by someone, especially if it were Blue, since guns are involved. I'm uncertain how trigger-happy Levi and Kevin are, and I refuse to take that chance.
"There!" Jared says, his volume bordering on a shout. "Did you see that?"
Turning back around, I move closer to my brother and Jared. The soft lighting of the path lanterns lights up their faces enough for me to read their expressions. Roman looks grave as Levi and Kevin inch toward the tree line.
Like something out of a horror movie, I wait for a monster to jump out of the dark branches and scraggly underbrush. After this, I don't think I will ever watch another horror movie again. Consider this the ultimate horror film of all time, and I'm fucking living it.
Don't puke.
Felix must read my body language, because he wraps an arm around my hip to keep me steady. I'm grateful because all of this suspense is crackling and begging for an outlet.
The air feels charged while we hold our breaths. Six flashlights brighten the small forest, not staying on a specific spot long, just in case we miss something elsewhere.
Then, everything changes.
With the strength of Felix behind me, I manage to hold my stress response in. Someone should have been holding Roman, though.
My big brother roars a sound of pure horror and relief as he barrels through Kevin and Levi. As his shout cuts off, a high-pitched wail pierces my ears, but as soon as it ends, I feel bereft. Like I'd been waiting for that sound for days.
Blue.
"ROMAN! Don't!" Kevin warns, sprinting after my brother as the rest of us scramble to comprehend what's happening.
Flashlights shift and swing, making the space around us look like a lightning storm. My feet begin to move as Kevin raises his gun, pointing it at the back of my brother's head while running. No!
Chest forward, right arm rising, I push off to...to what? Save Roman from Kevin? To warn him? Jump in front of the bullet?
I'm too far away to do anything, especially as I watch Roman disappear through the tree line.
The next shock comes as a big spotlight shines on the entire surrounding area. I jolt, ready to turn around to figure out what the fuck is going on behind us, when Kevin comes to a halt and sets his posture as if readying to shoot.
My heart stops and restarts with a terrified shout. "ROMAN!"
The sounds of other people yelling and boots slapping against the wet ground sound far away as I watch without the cover of darkness to shield the trauma of this moment.
Well, it doesn't matter because Felix's arm around my back grabs hold of my jeans, while his body twists to block my forward motion.
As if in slow motion, I watch my love's eyes widen and feel him place his cold hand on my chest. Our gazes lock, ignoring the officers sprinting past us.
The white light highlights the red in his eyes and freezing cheeks.
He looks like a truly horrified version of himself.
Yet, he's stopping me from saving my brother. How could he do—
BANG!