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2
QUINTON
Iwatch as the gray leather surface of the sandbag turns red. My blood leaves a strange pattern as I punch it over and over again. My knuckles bleed profusely, but they don’t hurt anymore. I hit harder, hoping that the pain will return, but I’m already numb. My body and mind are numb, leaving nothing but a hollow feeling behind.
I would rather feel the pain.
I push myself to the brink of passing out before finally stopping. Hugging the bag, I lean against it, pressing my sweaty forehead to the smooth surface to catch my breath.
Just like before I met Aspen, the world spins out of control, and I can do nothing to stop it. I feel helpless and weak, and I hate it.
Walking into the gym’s bathroom, I actively avoid looking into the mirror as I run cold water over my hands until the water turns from pink to clear. My heart is still racing, and my breathing is labored. Each breath I take seems to be shorter, with less air making it into my lungs. I feel like I’m suffocating. The walls are closing in on me, leaving no space for my lungs to inflate all the way.
We’ve been living underground for months, but this is the first time I feel like I need to get some fresh air to breathe. Without even drying my hands, I leave the gym and head to the surface part of Corium.
My body operates on autopilot, carrying me to the helipad without thinking. As soon as I step out from the tunnel leading to the outside, cold Alaskan air wisps around me. I’m only in gym clothes, my body sweaty, making the cold send icy pricks across my skin.
I am no stranger to grief, but this is different because this one is on me. I made Aspen want to leave this place. It’s my fault she’s dead, and I don’t know how to get over that. I don’t know if I can.
For a long time, I stare out into the never-ending forest surrounding us. My whole body is shaking from the cold, but I don’t care; I can’t go back inside. I don’t even know why, but something has my feet cemented to the ground.
It’s getting dark now. With the sun setting, the sea of trees turns into one shade of dark green. The sky becomes an ocean of deep blue with specks of white.
I could stay out here all night, but I know that would only make me end up at medical again. Scarlet would be worried, and my parents would be here on the next flight, maybe even demanding for me to come home.
Taking one more deep breath, I’m about to turn around and walk back inside when I see it.
A bright red flare shoots up like a firework. With wide eyes, I watch the bright ball light up the sky before fizzling into nothingness. For a moment, I just stand there, wondering if I really saw it or if my mind is playing tricks on me. That was the spot where I saw the helicopter go down. I’m sure of it.
Someone survived the crash. Which means there is a chance Aspen is still alive. It doesn’t take long for that new information to trickle into my mind. Spinning around, I run back into the tunnel, passing several guards on my way back inside. Each of them gives me a bewildered look. I ignore them all.
Taking the elevator down, I make my way to Diavolo’s office as fast as I can. His secretary jumps up, trying to stop me, but I drown her voice out and push her body aside. I storm into Lucas’ office and close the door behind me.
He looks up from his desk as if he is about to start yelling, but his features soften when he sees me. “Quinton, everyone all right?”
“I saw a flare,” I half yell at him, not wanting to waste any time.
“A flare? What are you talking about?”
“I was up on the helipad catching some fresh air. I saw a flare being shot from the same spot the helicopter went down,” I explain. “We need to send out a search party. Someone survived the crash.”
Lucas leans back in his chair. “Quinton, I don’t have another helicopter here.”
Bullshit. As if he doesn’t have a way to leave this place in an emergency.
“Then get one! Have one come from the airport. Or have the guards search by truck.”
“Why is this so important to you?”
“How is this not important to you? One of your students could be dying right now.”
“Aspen stopped being my student when she decided to leave. She’s no longer under my protection, nor is she my problem.”
If I wasn’t in such a hurry to find a way to get out there, I would jump over this desk and pound my fist into Lucas’ face, no matter who he is. Right now, I don’t care about any consequences. All I care about is getting to the crash site.
“Thanks for nothing,” I murmur, right before turning to walk out the door.
“This is not your fault, Quinton. You might not see it right now, but this is the best thing for you.”
