Chapter Twenty-Eight #2
I shift my focus back to Raina, pressing two fingers gently against her neck.
My shoulders slump in relief as I savor the rhythm of her pulse thrumming beneath my fingertips.
I dial 911 on her phone, feeling a flicker of relief when the line connects.
A woman’s voice answers, but just as quickly, the call drops.
No, damn it! Come on! I repeat in my mind, striving to keep calm.
I try to turn the screen back on, but it remains dark.
“FUCK!” Her phone is dead. Running my hands through my hair in frustration, I realize there’s only one other option.
I quickly tuck her phone into my pocket, steadying myself as I pull my foot free from where it was stuck.
I grunt in pain as I maneuver, then lift Raina’s unconscious body onto my back.
I squeeze my eyes shut, pushing aside the searing agony coursing through me.
My body feels battered and worn, but I won’t let her down. I have to get her the help she needs.
I start hiking up the steep hill, grabbing onto trees and rocks planted in the ground, battling my own exhaustion as I make my way to the top.
I reach for the railing that nearly led us to disaster.
Carefully, I step over it, gently laying Raina down on the road, supporting her head to prevent it from hitting the pavement.
I quickly grab my bike, turning the key off and back on.
It stalls repeatedly. What else could possibly go wrong?
Frustrated, I kick the fender and let the bike drop back to the ground.
I pull the keys from the ignition and tuck them into my pocket along with Raina’s phone.
I glance down at Raina, feeling defeated.
“Looks like we’re walking.” I crouch down, picking her up in my arms and cradling her to my chest. I tense, forcing myself up.
I look ahead at the long journey ahead, hoping that along the way someone will drive by and help.
I walk, focusing on the road, reminding myself over and over she’s going to be okay, she’s going to be okay.
The thought crosses my mind. What if that person comes back?
I keep telling myself I don’t know who that person is, but deep down.
I know. It’s him. Who else could it be? My mind goes back to my thirteenth birthday.
Before he left, he made sure to tell me that our paths would cross again, and that it would be when I least expected it.
I can feel my knees starting to tremble under the weight of my tired body and hers.
I’m not sure how much longer I can hold on, but I have to keep pushing through.
Glancing up at the sky, I see dawn breaking on the horizon.
Time feels like it’s slipping away. I can’t even remember how long I’ve been walking.
I need to find a way to distract myself.
My thoughts drift to my mom. Just yesterday was her birthday, and I didn’t get the chance to sing Happy Birthday for her.
I know she can’t hear me, but it’s something I always do for her every year, just to feel a little closer to her on her special day.
I swallow hard and start singing the words over and over as I fight to keep going.
Time blurs, and I lose count of how many times I’ve sung it.
The last number I remember was forty-three.
Now, the words barely escape my lips, reduced to a mumble as my mouth moves with difficulty.
I can feel my consciousness starting to fade.
I’m not even sure how I’m still on my feet, but I know I am.
For a moment, I think I’m imagining it when I spot two lights approaching from a distance.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I focus again—the lights are getting closer.
I try to run, but my legs feel like they’re made of lead.
I stumble, struggling to maintain my balance.
Tightening my grip on Raina, I whisper gently into her hair, “It’s okay. You’re going to be alright.”
I squint as bright lights draw closer, shining directly into my tired eyes.
“Help!” I manage to cry out, but my legs finally give way beneath me.
I collapse onto my knees, still cradling Raina in my arms. Struggling to lift my head, I watch as the car stops right in front of us, the headlights illuminating our desperate situation.
I hear car doors slam open and shut, and I strain to see a man and a woman sprinting toward us.
“Oh my gosh! Are you two alright?” the woman calls out.
“Please, she needs help now,” I plead, my head drooping as they gently lift Raina from my arms. I keep my eyes locked on them; the woman cradles Raina’s head in her lap while the man frantically dials a number on his phone.
My vision blurs, making their voices sound muffled, like their words are blending together.
Suddenly, all I hear is a ringing in my ears.
I slump forward, and before I know it, everything goes black.