The faint sound of sirens in the distance call to me. Are they real sirens? Or metaphorical sirens signifying my dwindling time here on earth?
I don’t know. From the pain south of my waist, it could be either. There’s a metallic taste in my mouth so whether or not the sirens are real, the blood certainly is.
Then the darkness takes me again.
Apollo
* * *
My head is throbbing. Pressure building behind my eyes like I’m on a rollercoaster, flying upside down at high speeds through the air. Except we’re not moving anymore. At least I don’t think we are. But from the way gravity is pulling my body, we might be upside down.
I don’t think I’m really hurt other than the ache in my temples and at the back of my skull. My leg is trapped under the crumpled dash, but I can wriggle my toes, my fingers, and other than something dribbling down the side of my face, I think I’m good.
Fuck. Lady luck was clearly on our side tonight.
Flexing my fingers once more, I nod. Yeah, I definitely think I’m good.
The seatbelt chafes on my neck as I turn to Edith.
Fuck. My blood freezes in my veins. No. No, no, no, no, no.
There’s blood all over her face, her eyes are closed, and her whole side of the vehicle is buckled in on her.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
A bolt of pure panic shoots up my spine, stealing the breath from my lungs.
This isn’t good.She’snot good.
“Edith?”
Nothing. Not a wheeze, a whimper, a sigh. Zero.
Fuck.
I yell her name, and when she doesn’t reply, I scream at her, louder this time, desperate to wake her up, but it doesn’t work, and I can’t twist myself in my seat enough to reach for her. I’m helpless. And I fucking hate it.
Focusing on her body, I search for any telltale signs of life, but her chest doesn’t rise and fall.
An icy, consuming dread threatens to suck me into panic.
Edith
* * *
I can’t breathe.
My teeth chatter as I shiver. Someone’s mumbling something next to me, but I can’t hear what they’re saying. Am I under water?
Where’s Apollo? Wasn’t he with me?
Oh my god... is he dead?
I try to move, to turn to see if I can find him, but all that greets me is bone-deep agony. A scream rips from my raw throat before my eyes roll back, my head lolls... darkness.
* * *
A cold hand slides into mine but doesn’t squeeze. “Edie?”
