Page 146 of Chemistry: The Chemist

I’ll never make it

“Come on, Egypt. Come on.”

Elevation.

Trees. Lots of trees.

My ears.

My ears pop.

The mountains.

Mount Clarke!

He lives on Mount Clarke.

“Fuck, that area is massive.”

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck.

“I need help,” I cried out. “I need… I have to… My God, Chem. Pick up the fucking phone, baby. Please.”

With trembling hands, I dialed the number that had sent a text confirming my date and time of arrival on the island. On the very first ring, Rugger’s voice appeared on the line.

“Eden.”

Quietly, I wiped the tears on my face, attempting to gather my bearings. It was pointless. They just continued to fall. My heart had finally escaped my chest and was bleeding out on the floor, right under my feet.

“Where is my brother, Eden? Is Chemistry well? Is he breathing?”

I couldn’t speak. There was a large, immobile lump in my throat. It wasn’t letting anything through. I struggled to catch my breath. The oxygen levels in the car were fleeting. Everything around me blurred. I couldn’t see through the tears that fell over and over again.

“Eden!”

“I’m so… I’m sorry. I didn’t kn-know.”

“Answer me, bitch!” Rugger’s cold, icy tone sent chills up my spine. Though she remained calm, the shuffling assured me she was up and headed out.

“Please don’t come.”

“Where the fuck is my brother? You’d better start talking.”

Her voice cracked. The pain that rested in the crevices turned my stomach. I’d only known her for a few days, but I understood a few things about her. Everything we’d gathered and created her profile with was accurate.

Cold.

Calculated.

Apathetic.

Ghostly.

Emotionless.

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