Page 132 of Fractured Ties

“Get under it.”

There was no point in arguing, but she had serious fucking doubts this was going to save them. But what did it matter? If they died under a fucking tub or running for an exit that wouldn’t come … it didn’t make a difference.

They were still going to die.

But at least they would die together.

Maya got down on all fours and crawled under the tub. All over again, cold cement met her back, and scraped against her already tender skin. She couldn’t find it in herself to care—what would the pain and discomfort matter in a few short seconds, anyway?

Kolya was quick to slip under the tub and let it go at the same time. The heavy weight of the iron coming down hit Kolya against the back and sent him sprawling over Maya. His body practically suffocated her as his arms wrapped around her head, and he pulled her as tightly as he could get her against his chest.

Even in their last moments, he protected her. He used his body to shield her. He was willing to take the hit on the off chance she might be okay.

Maya shivered.

Cried.

How many seconds left?

Ten?

Five?

“Kolya—”

“It’s okay,” he murmured against her hair, his lips moving fast but soft.

It wasn’t okay.

And this was not the best time.

“I love you,” Maya said. “I do.”

She did—more than anything else in the world. How could she not?

Kolya stiffened. “Dushka, I have—”

The noise was deafening.

The pressure, painful.

The bomb blew.

And the world went dark.

• • •

Something heavy—way too heavy—pinned Maya to a hard, flat surface. Her back ached, and no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t get whatever was on top of her to get off. Even as she forced her eyes open, a bright glare burned her irises. She couldn’t focus enough to see what was on top of her, never mind where she was.

Blinking and blinking and blinking … she willed her mind and body to cooperate. Disoriented didn’t come close to describing what she felt in those first few seconds. Her head pounded. A deep, constant pain in the base of her skull that just wouldn’t let up.

“Help,” she gasped. “Someone, help me.”

No one answered her back, and the heavy weight keeping her pinned down didn’t move, either. Maya turned her head to the side to find … nothing staring back at her. Well, not nothing really. But a confusing mess of a space.

She could feel a breeze and see the sun above her. Smoke curled from the blackened masses around her, and ash drifted down like snowflakes in the air. With every breath she sucked in, more of that smoky ash filled her lungs.

Was she outside?