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I can't help Nol right now...I can't get the image of Eve out of my head...her body twisted at odd angles. Her skin color screamed fucking agony...and I couldn't even go down there to tell her I'm here now.
"We got Korren's call; we left others to track him."
Just as Nolan is about to completely attack Smith, I take a dazed step forward and murmur his name, "Noly..." My voice cracks, and my chin wobbles when his eyes swing to mine.
I just...I can't be strong anymore. I've put up a good front this past week and did my duty as the family jokester and Nolan's rock...but I just can't. It hurts; everything hurts so much I feel like my chest is caving open, and every time I blink, all I see is my girl, lying there bruised and still. So still.
"Ryan?" Nolan's tone is caked in concern for me, the shock of seeing me break apart causing him confusion and panic.
I have my own issues and rocky past, but this...I can't be the happy one who focuses on other people's emotions because my own is trying to suffocate me. I feel like I could implode at any moment.
I'm not sure when the tears started, but the blurry form of Nolan rushing over to me has me collapsing into his arms. Anger forgotten; he's here for me now. Now I can be weak in the arms of my love. There's no room for embarrassment or shame; turmoil and guilt rage through me like a storm I don't know if I can weather.
"Let's go!"
I feel, rather than see, Nolan lifts his head away from me while still keeping me tucked into his chest. I don't have the energy to comprehend or attempt to lift my head.
"I got you, Ry. Kor and Amiri are with her now, headed to the nearest hospital. There's a helicopter here to take us there too." His scratchy voice in my ear is comforting.
Wait, she's gone?I snap my head up to see that the rescue team that came for Eve is off in the distance now, leaving an additional one hovering above the cliff for us. The noise of ours must have canceled out the sound of the other one leaving.
Is she okay? Is she alive...will she make it?
"Ryan?" The touch of his thumb wiping away the tears still escaping from my burning eyes causes me to let loose a choked sob, unable to contain the torment clogging my throat.
I give him a nod of confirmation that I heard him and am ready to go. Ready for anything else? Fuck no.
My goddess just flew away from me, taking my happiness and hope right along with her. I will brave whatever is thrown at me, simply for a chance to hold her...even if it's for one last time.
Chapter 15
Korren
"Koko?"
My eyes widen as the melodic voice behind me sends shivers through my body. It can't be. I keep my eyes trained on the sunset about to drop below the tree line of our property.
"K-Korren?"
I focus on the dancing flames of the firepit instead of turning to the voice I never expected to hear again. She's not real. Evelyn has been dead for years. The reminder of losing her makes my fists clench.
"Korren, why won't you look at me?" Her words are hushed and wobbly.
Not fucking real.
I saw the light fade from her eyes the day we found her on that ledge. She's gone, and never coming back because we were too late. Too slow.
A sniffle behind me makes me flinch, the sound shredding my insides to pieces. The sounds I'm sure she made the entire time we were looking for her...crying and alone. Unclasping my fist, I pinch the bridge of my nose, hoping it will make the migraine-induced hallucinations go away.
"I-I thought you loved me."
Her broken plea has me flying out of my chair and turning faster than I can comprehend. And there she is. Just how I remembered her all those years ago...long black hair that shines in the sun, tiny thin frame, pointy nose, scarred lips...but her eyes, they are soaked in tears.
"Eve?" I croak. This isn't real; she is gone. Dead. I'm just sleeping or super drunk.
"Why didn't you come for me?" Her dainty arms are wrapped around her waist, making me ache to replace them with my own.
Her words finally register. "What?" I'm basically fucking speechless, but that's the least of my worries because...I'm going crazy. This. Isn't. Real.
