Page 43 of Sour Layer

The world tunneled. There was no more house, no more Clark bleeding on the ground, just Lynnfield and I.

“It’s your turn to die,” I said calmly as the lightning grew closer. The hair on my neck lifted in anticipation.

“Mercy, no,” Honor screamed. “You’ll die too.”

I met her gaze as the tears continued to fall. I pulled the lightning closer and closed my eyes. Lightning struck at our feet, lifting us off the ground and throwing us into the air.

I landed hard on the ground. My gaze turned hazy. I blinked once and then twice when Lynnfield came into view, his hair standing on end. The smell of singed flesh drifted to my nose.

The thunder clapped again when a shot rang out.

Lynnfield dropped to his knees. The gun fell from his hands.

“I’m so sorry, dear.” Betty’s voice returned only seconds before she fell over onto her side. Her eyes glazed and wide, unseeing.

I lifted onto my elbows, grabbed the gun, and threw it off into the distance. Clark was lying on the ground, his eyes closed, the gun still tight in his hand and pointed at Lynnfield.

I crawled to his side ignoring the pain piercing through my body.

“Clark,” I whispered.

No answer.

I felt for a pulse. There wasn’t any movement beneath his skin.

“No,” I screamed.

This was me losing my heart. The warning was heard.

I rolled him and started chest compressions and breaths doing CPR.

“They won’t make it in time,” Honor whispered, staring down at me. Shimmering tears clouded her eyes.

“Where are they?” I growled between counts.

“They’re getting closer, Mercy. I’m so sorry.”

“No,” I yelled, determined. “No. Not like this.”

Anger instead of grief filled my veins. Thunder clapped above like it had never clapped before. I lifted my hands and called the lightning to me. Letting it surge through my body, trying as best I could to control it.

I brought it down on Clark’s chest. Once, twice, and then a third time. Electricity singed through his clothes and left my handprint on his chest.

I sagged in defeat as the lightning faded, stealing my energy with it.

My vision blurred just as Clark opened his eyes.

“Welcome back.” Those were the last words I spoke as the darkness sucked me under, and I collapsed against his chest.

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