Page 77 of Unearthed Dreams

“Where is she?”

Elliot blocked the hallway, his expression confused. “Kai? What are you doing here?”

“Where. Is. She.” Each word came out like broken glass.

“Who—”

“CHARLIE!” Her name tore from my throat, desperate and raw.

The confusion on his face transformed into something dangerous as understanding dawned. His eyes narrowed, jaw clenching as he took a menacing step forward. “What the fuck did you just say?”

“Move.” My hands clenched into fists. Every muscle in my body screamed to force my way past him.

“Why are you asking about my sister?” Another step. The threat in his voice was unmistakable now.

“Because I love her.” The words exploded from my chest before I could stop them. “Now get the fuck out of my way or?—”

“Or what?” Elliot’s face had gone dark with rage. “You gonna tell me what you’ve been doing with my baby sister?”

“Elliot.” Tessa’s voice cut through the tension. She laid a gentle hand on her husband’s arm. “Look at him.”

I realized I was shaking, my breath coming in ragged gasps. “Please.” The word scraped my throat raw. “I can’t... I can’t lose her too. Not like this. Not like—”Kelsey. Billy.

“Room three,” Natalie said softly beside Jasper, who looked equally confused, scared, livid. “Down the hall.”

I didn’t hesitate, didn’t explain. Didn’t care.

Elliot’s hand shot out as I moved past him, gripping my bicep hard enough to bruise. “This isn’t over.”

I met his eyes steadily. “No, it’s not. But right now? The only thing that matters is her.”

He released me with a sharp nod.

Swift steps carried me across the squeaky linoleum floors toward the woman I loved, the woman I needed. The woman I prayed to a god I didn’t believe in was safe and whole.

I grasped the handle and pushed the door open.

Please be okay. Please be okay. Please be okay.

Charlie’s eyes were closed, her whole body still. She had a tube down her throat, wires extending from every section of her body.

“No.” The denial slipped from my throat the same time a single tear fell down my cheek.

Jay Everton was sitting vigil at his daughter’s bedside, but the single word from my mouth had his head snapping up.

“Kai?”

His wife turned her head to look at me from her side of Charlie’s bed, eyes puffy and red. “Hi, dear,” she said with a small smile. “Jay, honey, why don’t you let Kai take a seat?”

“Huh?”

She shot him a look. I imagined it was one of those knowing mom looks, but what did I know? I never reallyhada mom to know things.

Properly chastised by just a look from his wife, Jay rose from his seat and rounded the end of the bed, coming to stand behind Emma.

I stayed firmly rooted in place. I couldn’t move. Could hardly breathe. This whole scene was too fucking familiar. First, with Kelsey, then with Billy. I couldn’t watch another person I loved die.

“Sit, Kai.”