Page 23

Screaming reverberated in my ears, knocking me from unconsciousness, but I couldn't make out any words if there were any. My eyes creaked open with much effort, and light poured in. Morning came, and I was still here.

My eyelids fluttered, trying to let my eyes adjust to the change in light, as I took stock of my body. Everything was numb or near it. The ache in my ankle and pain in my shoulder were barely there, but I still refused to move, wondering if this was a dream.

Another scream, and this time I recognized my name on someone’s lips, but I couldn’t yell back.

Maybe I could whistle or creepily laugh so they got my location. They seemed close enough. Would they find me if I didn’t? Did I want them to?

The pain in my body was gone, but I was thirsty and hungry, and the fact that I wanted to be served breakfast was enough of a sign for me.

I pursed my lips, trying to whistle, but nothing came out. I licked them, coating the dried husks in saliva and hoping it would be enough. I tried again, and the whistle was weak but there.

Footsteps marched forward, and when I whistled louder, they stopped.

“Mine?” Odie yelled into the forest, panic lacing her words.

“Whistle again!” Cy cried out. If I didn’t know any better, her voice wobbled.

I did as she said, and they took off. Their footsteps hit the ground hard and grew louder each second.

“Don’t stop!” Cy was nearly above me, and in the next second, her head popped over the edge, and some dirt fell from the ledge. “Thank fuck.”

I tried to wave but forgot about my shoulder, so instead, I twinged and gasped.

Cy’s nostrils flared as Odie knelt over the edge, eyeing me.

“What the fuck, Mine?” She was angry. Scratch that. Odie was livid. Her hazel eyes were wide with ire, and I was surprised her teeth weren’t shattering with how tight her jaw was. “You could have—” She paused, stepping back so her face wasn’t in my view.

Cy pulled away for a second, chastising Odie, which was unexpected. “We will yell at her later. Let’s get her home.”

To their home, not mine. I didn’t have one. Not really.

Cy hopped down with ease, and I was jealous of her height and strength. I glared at her, unable to sign at the moment.

“This was stupid.” I nodded. “Really stupid.” I nodded again as she looked me over. “What did you hurt?”

I used my good arm to point to my shoulder and my foot. Cy sighed before helping me sit up. I was so cold and didn’t have full control of anything. I hissed and slumped into her.

Something slapped the dirt wall behind her, but I couldn’t see what it was thanks to her shielding me.

“We will have a look when we get back to the house. Ellie is terrified.”

I quirked a brow at her. Or I hoped I did.

“It took a lot of convincing to get her to stay behind. You may owe her too.” She chuckled, but it was dark and half-assed.

One arm wound around my back, and the other slid under my knees, jostling my ankle. I groaned and buried my face into the crook of Cy’s neck without thinking. I wasn’t going to move it though, and she didn’t seem to mind.

Once she was standing with me in her arms, she turned toward whatever Odie dropped in here. It looked like a rope tied to some cloth.

“This is going to hurt.” No I’m sorry or anything. Granted, I probably didn’t deserve that level of kindness right now after what I did.

Cy situated me in the hammock seat thing, which pressed horribly into my dislocated shoulder. Given that I still couldn’t move it, I didn’t know if it was going to be permanently damaged or anything like that.

She made sure my good shoulder was facing the wall and yelled to Odie, “Good to go!”

Odie heaved and pulled until I was within arm’s reach. She had set up a contraption, so I wasn’t sliding against the wall, but that didn’t stop me from banging into it. Cy did what she could by holding onto my good ankle and ass, but it didn’t prevent everything.

Odie pinned down the rope and hoisted me the rest of the way up by gripping the rough cloth. She unwrapped me without saying a word. Although her movements were sharp, nothing she did caused any more pain.