Chapter 64 Alec
SIXTY-FOUR
ALEC
Isee the beam come loose in slow motion.
I don’t think I’ve ever moved so fast. In half a second, I’m there, grabbing Summer by the waist and roughly hauling her out of the way. As she slams against my chest, the beam crashes down into the ground millimetres away with a deafening clatter, shooting a barrage of splinters at us.
I hold Summer still. We both stare at the spot on the floor where she was just standing. The beam has bulldozed a hole in the floorboards. In the darkness, I can almost swear I see blood seeping out from under it, but it’s just a rain puddle.
Summer’s panting against my chest, making terrified little noises. I pull her close, breathing slowly, my fingers wound in her hair. Through the shock, I take stock.
Here are the facts:
Summer almost died right in front of me. If I’d been a second later, she’d have been crushed.
It’s my fault.
I didn’t check the trees by the barn thoroughly enough before the storm hit.
It’s my fault.
Summer almost died.
I feel my emotions switch off. Summer is shaking against me. I hear her say something, but I don’t know what it is. It doesn’t matter.
I need to get her somewhere safe again. I grab her by the shoulders and start pushing her towards the barn doors.