Page 98 of Fragmented Illusions
The first one steps up to me and swings his arm out, aiming right for my jaw. I duck and jab upwards, shoving my knife into his ribs. I yank it out and push myself up as the man crumples to his knees groaning and holding his stomach.
Blood spills from the wound and while he might not die from it, it’s enough to immobilize him. I spin away and stand. My knife is slick in my hand, and I grip it tighter as my eyes dart around, checking for Sol.
It lands on Fallon, still unconscious on the floor. Sol’s body darts into my peripheral and I swing my gaze to him. He’s swinging punches at the guy he’s fighting, but he’s receiving them in equal measure.
He doubles over as the guy lands one to his throat, and I wince as Sol heaves. He gags and attempts to suck in air, although he can only wheeze instead.
I shout angrily, my words incoherent as I charge for the man. I thrust my arm out and plunge the blade into his back, in his right shoulder blade. I must have hit bone because the knife stops, barely sinking more than two inches deep.
The man shouts before whirling around and instantly clocking me in the jaw. I fall to the floor and my knife slips from my hands, clattering against the floor as it slides away from me.
I groan in pain as I crawl towards it. My entire face radiates pain, and my vision blackens at the corners, but I fight through it. I clench my jaw and bite my tongue, focusing my pain into one.
Fight. Fight. Fight.
Right as my fingertips brush the handle, a boot is stepping on top of my hand, crushing the bones painfully. A scream rips from my throat as I feel my bones breaking. A blinding heat rips through my hand and radiates up my arm. It goes numb but shoots into flames at the same time.
My vision completely darkens, and I stare out in front of me, not seeing a damn thing, notfeelinga damn thing other than pain as the boot stomps my hand over and over.
My body goes limp, sinking into the floor, and that’s when the boot stops. Acid burns up my throat and I turn my head to the side just in time for it to spew from my lips.
When I’m done heaving, I suck in each breath like it’s my last one. I focus on the sound of my breathing, and I blink rapidly as my vision slowly comes back to me. The first thing I’m met with is a puddle of vomit and a mangled hand—myhand.
I grind my teeth and stifle the urge to groan in pain as I push myself up with my good arm. The room spins momentarily before clearing and my gaze automatically seeks out Solomon. When I find him, dread pours into me.
He’s lying on the floor while two of the men beat the shit out of him. I look in the opposite direction and Fallon is still lying in the same, but not for long.
We’re losing.
This is it.
“No,” I grit out. Somehow, I manage to get to my feet, my knife in hand.
One minute, I’m standing and heaving, resisting the overwhelming urge to fucking give up, and the next, my knife and jammed into someone’s neck.
Blood spurts all over me as I collapse to the floor, my energy depleting vastly in a matter of seconds. Black dots swim across my vision and I can feel my body moving, swaying almost, but I can’t do anything to stop it.
“Spencer!”
A voice seeps into the fog in my mind.
“Grab Fallon and run!”
The voice sounds faint, weak. I squeeze my eyes shut. I bite my tongue so hard, blood instantly floods my mouth along with a throbbing pain. Pain I force myself to focus on and the harder I focus, giving all of my pain a focal point, my vision slowly comes back to me.
I stand on wobbly feet but manage to keep myself upright. I widen my eyes, refusing to blink as I stumble to Fallon. I fall to the ground when I reach her, instantly pushing my arms underneath her to lift her.
A scream rips through my throat when my mangled hand makes contact with her body. The pain is enough to cause my vision to flash in and out. I stumble my way down the hall, keeping my eyes locked on that front door.
So close, yet so far.
“We’re gonna make it, pretty girl,” I choke out the words I don’t believe.
I fucking feel like I’m dying. This pain is unbearable, but I have to try. I have to listen to Sol and get Fallon out of here.
Then I can come back for him.
No. He needs to be with us.
