Page 6 of Truth

The wall behind her collapsed, forcing me to shield my face as shards of glass and sheet rock rained down even more. My hands and knees burned as I pushed forward, listening to her gasping coughs. I raked away what I could then called out to her.

“Try now. You can do it.”

Within seconds, she latched onto my wrist with both hands, allowing me to pull her closer to me.

“Don’t leave me.”

“I would never.” I touched her chin, trying to calm her. “I just need you to do exactly what I say. If you do, we’ll be eatingravioli in front of the television watching The Cosby Show by dinner.” I winked and a faint grin appeared as she nodded. “Vanessa is trying to date. We can’t miss that episode, now can we?”

“No.” She gulped air and nodded. If she passed out, things would get a hell of a lot harder.

“When I turn around and bend down, push forward until you are on my back. Once you are, hold on and don’t let go.”

She obeyed. Her arms tightened around my neck as I maneuvered us through the wreckage. Water poured in from above, soaking us as she trembled violently. She kept mumbling something, something about call Truth. I didn’t know who it was, but she’d be able to call him herself.

On my watch, no one would be left behind, even if it killed me to save them. What mattered was getting both of us out alive.

When her grip faltered, I felt her slipping. Her arm slid off my neck, and she let out a terrified scream. She begged me to leave her but fuck that. It was both of us or neither of us. That, and I needed to see if Denise gave Dwayne Wayne a shot. He was cute in a Dorky kind of way. I had no clue if she even watched The Cosby Show or A Different World, but it was something to look forward to and better than dying in a building where your remains didn’t offer you a proper burial.

“What’s your name?”

She coughed, unable to speak as the smoke around us grew denser.

“That’s okay. I’m Merci. Take my mask, and put it on. When you do, tell me yours.” I ducked lower then pulled it off with one hand.

She lowered her head with just enough room for me to cover her mouth. I could tell her lungs had filled up with oxygen as the trembling of her body somewhat subsided. That was agood sign. She was heavy and probably going in and out of consciousness, but we were close to the open door.

Kane, Green, and Drew called out to me.

“We’re coming! Almost there!”

I pushed forward as Kane and the others blasted water into the building. His eyes met mine. They were filled with panic. I knew I’d hear his mouth later, but he already knew how I moved. I never asked for permission. The only one who needed to forgive me was gone. That was Chelly who had been dead for years. From the womb to the tomb was only in my dreams. My reality was I’d go home, and she wouldn’t be there.

“Get them out!” Kane barked.

Green jumped into action, pulling the woman off my back. She reached for me then her lids closed before her body collapsed in his arms.

Was I too late? Did I fail her too? What the fuck?

“Ahhhhh!”

I bolted upright. My breathing was ragged as I clutched my chest. My skin was slick with sweat, and my heart raced. These nightmares were crippling and damn near debilitating. They had been for the past thirteen years. That last assignment had rattled my fucking nerves, and I couldn’t shake that encounter.

Shadow, my cat, hissed from his perch. He had no clue the enemy was inside my own damn head. I reached over and pulled him to my chest. His body relaxed, but his piercing gold eyes stayed alert, scanning the room.

“It’s fucked up me, Shadow.”

Rain pattered against the window, dragging me deeper into darker memories. The sky had looked like this the day of Chelly’s funeral. Another reason I hadn’t stayed long.

The clock read 3:00 AM. Like clockwork, my body forced me to relive that fire every single night at the same damn time. It happened even when I was at the fire station. I’d sleep in theback away from the others. Only Kane knew why, and if I didn’t wake up right away, he’d come and gently climb in the twin bed and hold me until I came to.

I placed Shadow on the bed, and he hopped to the floor as I swung my legs over the side. My feet hit the cold tile, and I shuddered. Carpet wasn’t an option—Shadow would tear it apart. I opened my bedroom door and nearly jumped out of my skin.

“Germ, really? I’m fine.”

I wasn’t, but I didn’t need him worrying. Instead of calling me out, Germaine pulled me into his chest and kissed the top of my head.

“You know you don’t have to pretend with me, right?”

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