In The End Box Set , Stevens, GJ [motivational novels .txt] 📗

of the rucksack from my shoulders, I broke into a sprint and slowed only as the tall grass pulled at my feet, tripping over the uneven, potted tarmac.

The frantic scream came again, cutting through the air in a blood-curdling call.

Despite scouring the horizon, I still couldn't see anyone standing, couldn't shake the possible scenarios. I pictured Zoe slain, blood soaking to the ground, a line of scarlet sinew cutting through her legs. Her gaze fixed, desperate on mine.

With my next few steps the face in my mind had changed. Naomi's wide blue eyes glared back, Zoe's brunette hair raised from her shoulders climbing level with Naomi's ears. Naomi stared up as I looked down. Her guard still surrounded her as she sneered down her nose, fixed with an expression telling me it was all my fault.

I tried to tell myself the pain in my chest was no less when Zoe wasn’t the one pictured.

I couldn't take my eyes off the utter destruction of their legs, even though it was all in my mind. With my feet rolling on the brass of a spent cartridge the size of a finger, the image disappeared.

I told myself the damage was done and tried to force away all thought, but guilt surfaced as I hoped it wasn't Zoe I was about to find, wasn't Naomi standing over her body, screaming for a miracle. Heartbroken.

The shrill call came again. It was the only sound for miles around and resounded louder each time. Still, I couldn't see my destination. All I knew was I was heading towards the crash site, the grass churned up where the rotors first hit.

Half a blade jutted from the ground, a jagged, razor edge cutting through the breeze. I caught movement to my left, from the tree line.

It was Cassidy, her sister dragged along in hand. They were closing, racing forward for the same reason.

Turning, I first saw Naomi, the pit so wide in my stomach I thought it would split open.

She stood in a dip, a valley in the ground, the shake of her body plain to see, even from my distance.

Catching my approach, she raised her arms in a frantic wave, but turned back, shaking her head with tears cascading down her face.

I turned toward Cassidy, who'd closed the distance over the last few seconds. I held my palms out, looked at Ellie, then back.

“No,” I said, my voice solemn.

Cassidy took one look to her side and understood.

“Ells, wait here,” she said.

Keeping my pace, I listened as Cassidy repeated, this time with the sharpest edge I'd heard.

I was moments away and through wet eyes I saw a body laying on the ground.

She was dark, charred beyond recognition, her body swollen, head bulbous and ballooned. Her arms were bent at all angles, legs wild in all directions. She was moving, swaying as if finding comfort in the motion.

I'd known her for half my life. I didn't know if I could watch this happen.

A few more steps and I heard a low, rumbling moan, the pain in my stomach boiled to anger. Fear raged. I sniffed the air, took in the oil and burning chemicals. There wasn't the hideous odour. She hadn't died and come alive again. She was living, at least for now.

Movement caught in the right of my vision, heavy breath, but a natural sound. I let my guard drop, focusing back on the body, but as I arrived, wiping my eyes, I saw Zoe coming down into the valley. It wasn't her laying on the ground.

The swollen, bulbous head was a helmet; the exaggerated swelling body was someone else dressed in a charred olive flight suit. The arms and legs were still at unnatural angles, the pain real, but mine fell away. My tears cleared as the body snapped into focus and for the first time I saw him for who he was. The guy who'd saved our lives, then tried to kill us instead.

25

“Why are you crying over this piece of shit?” I shouted, sneering down in his direction, momentum building in my voice.

Cassidy drew up by my side, Zoe at Naomi's, linking their arms and tucking into her like Ellie had done before to her sister. Their eyes fixed with something like grief covering their features.

The muscles in my chest tightened as I fought for breath. “I thought it was you lying there. I thought one of you was screaming because the other was in such pain, or dead. Not this murderer,” I said, turning as I took a deep breath, pulling back from the urge to spit on the pained body.

I felt Cassidy's hand on my arm and I pivoted towards her and saw her doughy eyes staring back, felt her fingers squeezing. She was trying to urge me to relax, but I couldn't stand here, couldn't weep for this man. This killer.

I span, aiming my venom in Naomi's direction.

“Do you realise who this is? What he tried to do? What he did to our friend out on the road?” I shouted, my hands waving intent.

“Andrew?” Zoe gasped.

I let a pause hang in the air, but guilt brought my voice.

“No, he's back there,” I said, volume lower, taking a step forward, my hands raising, thumb and forefinger nearly pinched together.

“This close. He was this fucking close to death,” I said, pushing my hand out. “This close to another fucking funeral when this is all over.” I took another step, my feet within swinging distance of an olive leg bent at the wrong angle. “Why are you crying over this?” I repeated.

Zoe stepped in front of me, stopping me from doing what she read as my intent. Her hands rested on the chest of my jacket, her eyes wide, calming. At least trying to be.

“He's human,” came Naomi's weak voice