Page 99 of Wreckage

Because if we didn’t do this, we were next.

Chapter 34

Troy

The fire crackled, sending wisps of smoke curling toward the ceiling. The smoke carried a sickly sweet scent that made my stomach twist violently.

I crouched beside it, watching the meat sizzle over the flames. My mind spun and broke, trying to ground itself in the horror of what I was doing.

I was starving.

And I hated how good it smelled.

I swallowed back bile, forcing myself to focus on the heat of the fire, the weight of the knife still in my hand, and the guilt and shame curling inside me like a snake.

Adrian sat nearby, holding Elena close, her frail body tucked against his.

She was alive, but it was getting harder to tell.

Her breathing was too light, her skin pale, and her body too fragile.

We had no choice.

And I hated myself for it.

The meat finished cooking,and I stared at it for too long, my mind rejecting what I had to do next.

This isn't right.

I forced down a breath and called out softly, "Come eat."

Adrian shifted, adjusting Elena as he reached for the plate I handed him. He took a double portion, his silent way of telling me it was for her, too.

I watched him hesitate before taking the first bite.

The second the meat hit his tongue, his entire body jerked, his face contorting in disgust as he gagged.

His hands trembled as he chewed, his throat convulsing like he was about to spit it out.

But he forced himself to swallow.

I closed my eyes, pressing my lips together before taking my bite.

The second the flavor hit my tongue, my stomach rebelled.

It was sweeter than I expected.

Not gamey. Not metallic. Almost like… chicken.

I gagged, clamping a hand over my mouth as tears burned down my cheeks, the reality of what we were doing sinking into my bones like ice.

I forced myself to keep chewing, knowing I wouldn't start again if I stopped.

I had to eat.

We had to survive.

I took another bite.

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