Page 152 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

As darkness enveloped her, a soft, ethereal light began to glow above Dana. She felt weightless, detached from the pain that had consumed her moments before. Her breaths were shallow, each one more labored than the last, but the light grew stronger, beckoning her closer.

She was reminded of the warmth she felt in the bookstore when she thought she’d glimpsed her mother.

Mom? Am I supposed to follow?

Dana’s mind churned with confusion and fear. This must be the end. But was this truly her time? Was she meant to let go and embrace the unknown? Regret surged through her. She’d been given the bones of a wonderful life. Had she wasted it? Allowed it to whither into dust?

There had to be more.

She wanted to resist, to push away from the light that felt so comforting yet so final. The voices around her grew distant as she hovered between two worlds, caught in a liminal space where time seemed to stretch and contract.

Dana could sense the urgency in muffled voices just out of reach. There was a desperation there that grounded her, pulling her back from the brink.

She was reminded that she had fought too hard to let go now, fought for every breath, for every heartbeat. But the light glowed stronger, beckoning, guiding her.

She reached toward it but something held her back.

Memories flashed through her mind—moments of laughter, love, and the faces of those she cherished.

She thought of Jake, his unwavering presence, and the promise she had made to herself to never give up.

The light seemed to pulse with a gentle rhythm, almost as if it were calling her name, but Dana’s heart fought against it, clinging to the threads of life that still remained.

A sudden clarity washed over her. This wasn't her time. She couldn't abandon Jake, couldn't leave him alone in a world that felt so fragile. The light, though inviting, had to wait.

“Not yet,” her mind whispered to the light . “I’m not ready.”

The light flickered, a sign of understanding, and began to fade, replaced by the distant sounds of voices and the touch of hands working to save her. Dana felt herself being pulled back, the light’s glow diminishing until it was no more than a memory.

Gradually, she felt the warmth of life return, the pain of her wounds a stark reminder of her reality. Dana's breaths stabilized, and her heart fought to keep rhythm. The gentle hum of medical machines and the murmur of voices became clearer, grounding her existence back in the world she knew.

Her eyes, heavy but determined, fluttered, and she slipped into unconsciousness, the world of the living clinging to her with a fragile grip. She was still here, still fighting.