Page 32 of Another Girl Lost

The woman’s detachment gave way to curiosity, pity, and sorrow.

I blinked.

Her expression mirrored the Della embedded in my memory.

Della . . .

Merely the idea of Della standing here now and staring at me was enough to break my concentration. My laser focus shattered, and my foot slipped. I immediately struggled to regain my foothold and tightened my grip. But my shoes skimmed over the smallest rock, and my fingers dislodged from the tiny indent above my head. I grabbed for another rock, but my feet slid over it. My body couldn’t recalibrate fast enough.

Della.

My weight tipped backward, and my stomach rose in my chest. In that split second, I knew I was falling. I’d climbed to the top of the black hole, and like always, Della found a way to yank me back. No matter what I did, she always won.

Someone in the gym screamed seconds before my body went airborne.

Chapter Ten

SCARLETT

Saturday, July 13, 2024

8:45 a.m.

I free-fell fifteen feet before I hit the rock wall and the safety harness jerked my body to a halt.

Pain cut through battered muscles as I dangled from the rope. I’d fallen before, but I had always sensed the critical mistake as I made it, and I was somewhat ready to brace and recover. But this fall had caught me off guard.

Slowly the rope lowered, and I inched closer to the ground. When I rested against the mat, I struggled to draw in a breath as the ribs on my right side groaned.

“Scarlett, are you okay?” Jeff’s face was now inches from mine as he studied my eyes closely. “Jesus, what happened up there?”

My thoughts skittered from pain to the woman I’d seen. Immediately, I tried to sit up as I searched for Della. However, my stunned body constricted, and a muscle spasm sent me back to the mat. “Damn.”

He hesitated to touch me. “Lie still. Take it slow. Let’s figure out if you’re hurt.”

A group of people gathered around me in a circle, their expressions a mixture of concern and curiosity. Some spoke to me, but the voices sounded distant and muffled.

I closed my eyes and drew in a breath. My ribs ached. But breath half filled my lungs before I had to expel it. Another pause, and the next inhale allowed more air. The one after that was even better.

“Scarlett!” Jeff said. “Are you hearing me?”

“I’m fine, Jeff. Ego is more battered than the body.”

He shoved trembling fingers through his hair. “You scared the shit out of me.”

When I rose onto my elbow, I winced. “I got distracted. Sloppy and stupid.”

Jeff carefully put his hand behind my back. I tensed only a little as he helped me sit. “You never fall.”

“I did today.” I eased away from his touch.

“Don’t get weird,” he whispered. “I’m just trying to help you.”

“I’m fine.” I pushed back the panic rushing through me. I’d rather endure physical pain than touch. I stiffened and moved away. “Sorry about that, Jeff.”

“What distracted you?” Jeff glanced up at the wall as if trying to figure out where it all went wrong.

“I saw a woman walk behind you. I thought I knew her.” My gaze skimmed the room, but there was no sign of the Della look-alike. Dawson’s visit had dragged me back in time, and I was now seeing ghosts.

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