Page 32 of Owned In Misty Mountain

Try not to scream.

Try not to collapse.

The world spins.

I drop to the ground, crawl toward what Ithinkis the back exit.

The smoke is too thick. My eyes burn.

I can’t see.

Can’t breathe.

Is this it?

Tears mix with sweat and ash.

My chest tightens. My arms shake.

And then the thought hits me.

I’ll never see him again.

I’ll never get to tell him I wasn’t walking away from him—I was walking for myself.

That I wanted to come back.

That Imissedhim.

That I still wanted more.

The air’s too thin now.

My arms give out.

I’m sorry, Mike.

I’m so sorry—

And then I hear it.

“Shanay!”

It’s faint. Low and desperate.

My ears are playing tricks on me.

My brain’s already giving up.

“Baby, where are you!”

I blink. Cough. Try to lift my head.

It sounds too real.

Too close.

“Shanay—talk to me!”

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