Read Online Come What May (Heartbeat) by Faith Sullivan - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Faith Sullivan
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Katie is stricken in my arms, her forehead pressed against mine. She’s leaving me yet again. But I don’t give in to the despair because her thumb is tracing circles against my palm.
When the body bag emerges, I want to look away, but she refuses to loosen her hold on me. We observe the entire procedure as her slight frame is swallowed by the vinyl-encapsulated darkness. Overcome with conflicting emotions, my nails dig into the smoothness of her porcelain skin, yet she doesn’t utter a cry. Instead, she turns to look at me. It’s now or never.
“What do you want?” The words tumble from my lips as I start to get lost in her hypnotic gaze. I’m starting to forget my name…where I am…everything that matters. I have to hold on. I have to get her to answer me. “Please, tell me.”
She smiles at me, standing on her toes to tuck my hair behind my ears. The chill of her touch seeps into my bones as her milky white hands run down my chest. She’s caressing me, torturing me. But she doesn’t speak.
“I’m begging you…” I make a last ditch effort to get her to communicate with me as she takes a step back. I fight to maintain some semblance of purpose. She’s making it so easy to lose focus.
Her reluctance causes a shift in the atmosphere, and suddenly it’s like we’re inside a giant snow globe as the winter storm pelts us from all sides. She’s retreating into the whiteness as I’m temporarily blinded by the onslaught. I can’t let her escape.
“Katie!” I scream at the top of my lungs, and even though she’s invisible to me, her voice enters my mind. She’s humming what sounds like a lullaby. It makes my eyelids feel heavy, and all I yearn to do is drift back to sleep. Resisting with all of my might, I call out, “Tell me!”
Her face is suddenly directly in front of mine—her hair sprawled out in every direction. Fear overwhelms me as she examines me like I’m her prey. Then she’s grinning like she’s amused by my reaction.
Her frosty breath coats my eyelashes as I grasp her shoulders, pinning her against my body. Her expression becomes sorrowful, and I’m afraid that I’m hurting her. But before I have a chance to change my mind, she whispers one plaintive command.
“Love.”
***
I wake up five minutes before my alarm. Despite the burning pain in my ribs, I finally slept through the night. I don’t know if the painkillers knocked me out or if it has to do with my breakthrough with Katie. Either way, I feel rejuvenated.
It seems I didn’t move a muscle since I placed my head on the pillow. I’m securely tucked under the blanket, and the sheets aren’t a rumpled mess at the bottom of the bed. Sliding to the edge, the cold air hits me, and I curl my left arm around the bandage extending halfway up my chest. I ponder the meaning of Katie’s message. Who does she want me to love?
The alarm on my phone goes off, and I hit it, noticing I have a text message from Jada that was sent nearly two hours ago. Man, what time does that girl get up in the morning?
WE HAVE 2 WEEKS OFF UNTIL YOUR RIBS HEAL. WANNA HELP ME STUDY INSTEAD?
Not really, but it beats the alternative of moping around by myself without anything else to do.
I GUESS. I HAVE CLASS TODAY. MEET U AT THE LIBRARY?
Immediately, her response pings my phone.
AROUND 2?
Jada missed her calling. With her efficiency, she should be in the military, not having her ass hauled around by me in some ambulance. I really want to tell her about my dream, but not by text. Trying to play it cool, I shoot back a one-word response.
YEAH.
I wonder what she could possibly need my assistance for. She probably aces every class she takes. I’m good in the field, but hitting the books isn’t my strong suit. Especially when it comes to somebody else. But she’s probably still freaking out after yesterday, and I am her partner. I need to show her some form of support. It actually makes me feel better knowing I can be there for somebody else
When the body bag emerges, I want to look away, but she refuses to loosen her hold on me. We observe the entire procedure as her slight frame is swallowed by the vinyl-encapsulated darkness. Overcome with conflicting emotions, my nails dig into the smoothness of her porcelain skin, yet she doesn’t utter a cry. Instead, she turns to look at me. It’s now or never.
“What do you want?” The words tumble from my lips as I start to get lost in her hypnotic gaze. I’m starting to forget my name…where I am…everything that matters. I have to hold on. I have to get her to answer me. “Please, tell me.”
She smiles at me, standing on her toes to tuck my hair behind my ears. The chill of her touch seeps into my bones as her milky white hands run down my chest. She’s caressing me, torturing me. But she doesn’t speak.
“I’m begging you…” I make a last ditch effort to get her to communicate with me as she takes a step back. I fight to maintain some semblance of purpose. She’s making it so easy to lose focus.
Her reluctance causes a shift in the atmosphere, and suddenly it’s like we’re inside a giant snow globe as the winter storm pelts us from all sides. She’s retreating into the whiteness as I’m temporarily blinded by the onslaught. I can’t let her escape.
“Katie!” I scream at the top of my lungs, and even though she’s invisible to me, her voice enters my mind. She’s humming what sounds like a lullaby. It makes my eyelids feel heavy, and all I yearn to do is drift back to sleep. Resisting with all of my might, I call out, “Tell me!”
Her face is suddenly directly in front of mine—her hair sprawled out in every direction. Fear overwhelms me as she examines me like I’m her prey. Then she’s grinning like she’s amused by my reaction.
Her frosty breath coats my eyelashes as I grasp her shoulders, pinning her against my body. Her expression becomes sorrowful, and I’m afraid that I’m hurting her. But before I have a chance to change my mind, she whispers one plaintive command.
“Love.”
***
I wake up five minutes before my alarm. Despite the burning pain in my ribs, I finally slept through the night. I don’t know if the painkillers knocked me out or if it has to do with my breakthrough with Katie. Either way, I feel rejuvenated.
It seems I didn’t move a muscle since I placed my head on the pillow. I’m securely tucked under the blanket, and the sheets aren’t a rumpled mess at the bottom of the bed. Sliding to the edge, the cold air hits me, and I curl my left arm around the bandage extending halfway up my chest. I ponder the meaning of Katie’s message. Who does she want me to love?
The alarm on my phone goes off, and I hit it, noticing I have a text message from Jada that was sent nearly two hours ago. Man, what time does that girl get up in the morning?
WE HAVE 2 WEEKS OFF UNTIL YOUR RIBS HEAL. WANNA HELP ME STUDY INSTEAD?
Not really, but it beats the alternative of moping around by myself without anything else to do.
I GUESS. I HAVE CLASS TODAY. MEET U AT THE LIBRARY?
Immediately, her response pings my phone.
AROUND 2?
Jada missed her calling. With her efficiency, she should be in the military, not having her ass hauled around by me in some ambulance. I really want to tell her about my dream, but not by text. Trying to play it cool, I shoot back a one-word response.
YEAH.
I wonder what she could possibly need my assistance for. She probably aces every class she takes. I’m good in the field, but hitting the books isn’t my strong suit. Especially when it comes to somebody else. But she’s probably still freaking out after yesterday, and I am her partner. I need to show her some form of support. It actually makes me feel better knowing I can be there for somebody else
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