Page 136 of Heavy

Samantha kneels down beside me, but I close my eyes. The last face I want to see is Calista’s, even though she’s the one who put me in this situation.

I suppose that’s wrong. Technically, I killed this crazy bitch’s brother, but still. All my baby girl had to do was just tell me what was going on.

“Tell my brother I got his revenge for me if you see him in Hell.” At least she isn’t stupid to think he’d be anywhere but burning there.

Heat builds in my throat, and I let out a cough, thick liquid spilling from my mouth as I do. Breathing is getting far too difficult.

I can’t feel anything except the pressure building in my ears. Death is not peaceful, even after you’re numb. It’s loud and obnoxious.

Samantha suddenly stands, but I’ve lost my hearing. The weight in them has overpowered the ability to perceive even the smallest of sounds.

I blink and try so hard to open them again but the abyss of the dark swallows me whole and reminds me that it’s my time to go.

I do love you, Cal.Even if it wasn’t for as long as I wanted. At least it gave me a taste of what happiness was, and what it would’ve been like for someone to hold my weight up as their own.

For the first time since I was ten, I don’t feel the burden of my trauma.

I don’t miss the child I wasn’t allowed to be.

I don’t feel anything but peace.

And I don’t feel heavy.

45

Calista

Themomenttheneedlepierces the driver’s throat, he jerks and screams. Instinct kicks in, and I pull my seat belt tight. He grabs at the weapon lodged in his neck, his horrified gaze locking onto me.

He gasps for air, but his chest seizes, his body convulsing violently. His arm jerks uncontrollably, yanking his hand off the steering wheel. The car swerves sharply, tires screeching as we veer off the narrow road. There’s a deafening crash as metal collides with splintering wood. The impact slams through me, blurring my vision until everything fades to black.

“What kind of dog do you want?” Ronan asks.

“Anything, maybe a bulldog.”

“Too noisy.”

“Definitely not a husky then.” I giggle. “Golden retriever?”

“Loyal…” Something like sadness laces his tone. “That would be nice. Let’s get an older one, though.”

“Why?” My question is genuine—we could train it better from puppyhood to adulthood.

“They’re always forgotten, and while we won’t have as much time with it, hopefully we can give it a happy end of its life.”

I don’t know how long I’m out before rough hands pull me back to consciousness, dragging me from the wreck. Instinctively, I scream and thrash, my head pounding, a sharp, salty sting burning in my eye.

“Cal! Cal! Relax!” a woman shouts, and instantly I know who it is. Goosebumps ripple down my neck, spreading all the way to my legs.

“A-Amy?!” The moment I turn my head up, I see her bright red hair. She's sweating and panting, the lights from the car illuminating her worried face.

She then yanks me up from my seated position, not giving me a moment to catch my breath after my brief panic attack. My legs shake so violently I think I might collapse, but she keeps me steady.

“We need to go right now.” She grabs my arm and puts it around her neck. “Ken is up at the cabin, but—”

“Ronan!?” I cut her off. “Is he—”

“It’s all on fire, the boys are trying to get in. The police are on the way, along with the fire department.”