For—
Her voice fades slightly.
Not gone.
Just farther away.
Like I’m drifting.
Like I’m losing ground again.
No.
Not yet.
I push again.
Harder this time.
Against the weight.
Against the pull.
Against everything trying to drag me under.
And this time—
My chest lifts.
A real breath.
Rough.
Painful.
But mine.
“There—”
Her voice again.
Sharp now.
Focused.
“He’s fighting it.”
Damn right.
I don’t go down easy.
Never have.
Never will.
Another breath.
Still hurts.
