Page 144 of Wasted

“God? If you’re listening, lead me back to Victoria so she doesn’t have to die.” More arrogance again. What could he do even if he reached her? Obviously, no one was driving out to this remote location in the blizzard. And he was no doctor.

He nearly tripped in a thick patch of snow. Deeper than before. He must’ve strayed into the ditch. He should angle back up to the road.

He trudged a few more feet.

Wait.

Dark colors streaked through the white that covered everything else.

His bike?

His pulse jumped into his throat. Victoria had been close to the bike. On the road just above.

Please, God. Let her be there. Let her be alive.

“Mom?”

Victoria shielded her eyes with her hand. It was so bright. The light hurt her eyes, but she couldn’t look away.

She knew that silhouette.

Mommy.

Her long black, wavy hair cascaded around her shoulders as she walked out of the light, toward Victoria. She smiled.

The smile found Victoria’s heart, infusing it with warmth. But the pain there didn’t lessen. It was still broken.

“Mom, I’m sorry.”

Mommy reached her hand toward Victoria. “I’m here. I love you.”

But she was too far away. Too far to touch or be touched. Too far to fix what Victoria had done.

“Vicks?”

A touch on her shoulder.

Was Mom closer now?

But no. She wasn’t there. The bright light was fading.

A rushing sound reached Victoria’s ears.

Something shook her. Was she in an earthquake?

“Victoria, can you hear me? Honey, you’ve got to wake up. Please.”

The voice was familiar. Deep.

Cillian? But why did he sound scared? And sad.

“Come on, Vicks. Please, don’t leave me. We all need you.” The anguish in his tone attached to something deep inside her, pulling her to him.

She must be sleeping. She tried to open her eyes.

“Vicks? Did you just move? Come on, honey. You have to tell me how to get right with God.”

She cracked her lids open.