Page 37

ARSENI

I like to think I’m a good swimmer.

Maybe even a great swimmer, if I’m feeling especially arrogant. The skill stems from countless hours at the same lake that swallows me up now. It drags my injured body down without mercy, and it’s all I can do to drag my way to the surface.

While I catch my breath, Margot’s screams above my head force their way through the water in my ears.

I suck in a breath to yell, but nothing comes out.

My head bobs up and down in the water while my limbs fight to keep me up, water covering my mouth like a gag every other second.

I take a deep breath before going under and peer at my wounded abdomen sucking away my strength. It tinges the water around it red.

My eyes shutting, I thrust myself to the surface and gasp in air. I splash as I struggle to stay afloat, but I used most of my remaining strength on getting this one breath.

“Margot!” I yell, half the word swallowed up by water.

What is he doing to her now? What will he do now that he has her?

This is my fault.

This is all my fucking fault.

The last of my strength drains away as I sink, my eyes open to watch the blurry concrete underside of the bridge above. I’ve never felt so hopeless.

But soon, it’s over.