Page 40 of The Forbidden Note

Her breath hits my chest in panicked spurts and she whimpers, “I think the coffin’s locked.”

CHAPTERNINE

GREY

Panicked, I struggle to shove the lid off. Pushing with my arms and bumping into it with my shoulder. Nothing works.

The coffin is locked.

“No, no, no,” I whimper.

There’s no way out.

No way…

The darkness is chewing at my fingers, my toes, nibbling at my skin and tearing at my flesh.

The box is getting smaller.

Smaller.

Smaller.

My fingers claw at the top of the casket as desperation consumes me.

“Is anyone there!” I pound on the casket lid. “We’re locked in here!”

My nails rake the plush lining.

I slash through cotton and silk.

I open my mouth to yell again, but my throat closes up like someone pulling a corset tight. My brain seizes, drowning in a river of fear. Why can’t I scream? Why can’t I breathe? It’s a stab of helplessness, like I’m not even in my own body.

My eyes steer to the side and I see her.

Sloane.

Blond hair limp. Face dirty. Body crumpled.

Is this how she felt when we buried her? Is this the panic, the terror that roared through her soul?

Tears spring to my eyes.

“I can’t breathe,” I wheeze, fingers scraping down my throat.

“Hey, hey.” The gentle voice is matched by two heavy arms around my waist. The moment Zane touches me, the image of Sloane disappears.

He curls me against his chest. “Sh.” He smooths a hand down my hair. “You’re going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.”

I squirm, fighting him.

Frantic sobs tear out of my mouth.

The guilt and panic mingle, forming a new monster. One hell-bent on burning me to ashes.

Zane holds firm, battling the monster with every breath he exhales.

“I’m here. I’m here.”