Page 136 of Molt

“What?”

“Something real.”

I think of all the centuries. All the lives. All the horror. And somehow the thing I choose is stupid. “You really do leave one foot outside the blanket.”

She laughs and a sob catches in it. “That’s your big final revelation?”

“Important...historical record.”

“Idiot.”

“Sarah?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad I found you.”

Her face breaks. “Even after everything?”

“Not because of what happened.” I struggle for breath. “Because I got to know you.”

She presses my hand to her cheek. “I don’t want you to go.”

“I know.”

“Don’t say that.”

I smile. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re not.”

“No.” My vision dims and her face blurs.

For one second, she looks like every woman, then only Sarah. Exactly as she was in the lobby. Wet hair. Broken umbrella. Annoyed. Alive. “There you are,” I whisper.

She sobs.

I can’t feel my legs. I can’t feel most of my body.

Only her hand.

Her cheek.

The faint pulse beneath my fingers.

“August?”

“Hm?”

“I’m scared.”

I use the last strength I have to squeeze her hand. “So am I.”

“What’s it feel like?”

“Dying?”

She nods.