Looks like that’s my cue.
I start to slide out from underneath Emmett’s melon, trying not to wake him.
Harry shakes his head. “I have to get him upstairs anyway,” he says to me. Then he leans over and puts a hand on his little brother’s shoulder. “Hey Em, wake up.”
Emmett whines in protest, but he turns his head and sets me free. I get to my feet.
“Anything I can do before I go?”
“Nah,” Harry says, giving Emmett a nudge. “We’re good.”
“I’ll be back first thing in the morning,” I tell them, making sure I meet Mattie’s always watchful gaze.
She nods. And then Emmett whines again, but this one comes out a little rougher. I turn to see him push Harry’s hand away.
“Quit it, Harry,” he complains, sounding cranky. “I don’t feel good.”
Shit.
The twins and I exchange glances.
“What’s wrong, buddy?” Mattie asks, stepping closer.
Without opening his eyes, Emmett frowns. “My throat hurts.”
Chapter Eighteen
MILLIE
I’m climbing a glacier.
I’ve never done anything like this before. I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ve never trained or practiced. I just know It’s cold, I’m tired, and I can’t let go.
When I look up, it’s just craggy ice as far as I can see. Like The Cliffs of Insanity inThe Princess Bride. I look down, and there’s nothing but clouds. If I fall from here, I’ll just keep falling forever.
The pack I’m carrying is so heavy. The straps dig into my shoulders, and my back aches with its weight. I want to take it off, but there’s nowhere to set it down. Just sheer ice. I reach above me for a handhold, but the next one is so far above my head.
I stretch up, bounce on my toes, trying to get the height I need, but it’s not enough. I press my body against the wall of ice, lengthening out as much as I can.
It’s so cold. I’m just so cold.
I reach and reach, but there’s no hope for it. I wail in defeat, and the freezing air rakes my throat with cold.
Breathing hurts. I can’t climb any higher. I can’t get back down. Down doesn’t exist anymore. All I can do is cling to the ice. But I can’t stay here for long. I’ll die out here.
And then I look down at my feet. The block of ice beneath them has grown slick. I’ve stood here for so long, the heat of my body has started to melt it from underneath me. And I know that what’s holding me up won’t last.
I’m going to fall. I’m going to fall. I’m going to fall.
“Millie.”
I open my eyes. I’m shivering, curled into a tight ball. I blink at the darkness, sure I heard Luc’s voice. Was it in the dream?
“Luc?” I rasp, feeling like a fool. What would he be doing here in the middle of the night?
Shadows move and a hand lands on my shoulder. I suck in a startled breath.
“It’s just me,” he says. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
