Page 8 of The Last Hope
Not able to see, I feel around for his body. Snatching air and air. And more air.
Come on.
Come on—the sharpestzapsears my arm. I cringe as the shock spindles through my veins like I rolled in hot casia. My body cramps up and rattles.
Mayday.
I fall backward on my bottom. Shaking. I’ve felt this painful jolt time and time again, and it always hurts. Always burns like heat I’ve never known.
“Heya!” Mykal roars at the cadet.
He laughs. “Pathetic little weaklings.”
I brace myself on my elbows, and the cadet bends and peers at us through the hatch. Spiky brown hair, a smug snarl that I’d like to tear off with Mykal, and a red birthmark shaped like an eye patch—I’ve never seen this cadet until now, but it doesn’t make a difference.
I still don’t like him.
Not one bit.
Mykal spits. “You snot-nosed goat! I’ll be tearing you limb from limb and then we’ll see who’ll be laughing—”
“Oh shut up—”
“We didnothingto you!” I scream, a blaze bursting inside my chest. I push back up to my knees. “Let us out!” I stick my arm through the hatch again.
I desperately grab at anything, but I only close my fingers over air.
His cruel laughter echoes shrilly.
Mykal growls in frustration. “I hate people.”
“Likewise,human,” the cadet snarls.
“He’s toying with you… both,” Court whispers with clattering teeth.
My fingers graze something.
I think I feel… the metal of the canteen. It slips out of reach—a second zap sends me flying backward.Fyke.I land hard on my back and wince through my teeth.
My body contracts in agonizing positions. I heave for breath, and Mykal rushes forward, his blond hair matted back with sweat. He almost hesitates, wanting to help me, but he knows he can’t waste time.
This is our last chance. And so he takes my place at the hatch and shoves his arm through the opening.
I gasp for air.
Court—Courtis suddenly hovering over me. Pieces of his dark brown hair fall to his lashes. Knelt above my writhing body, he looks down at me.
I look up at him.
He shouldn’t have left the cot. I try expressing that in my eyes, but I choke.
Court places his clammy hand… on my forehead.
I don’t understand until his senses race toward me, more powerful with touch, and an abrupt wave of pain radiates around my hip.
His pain.
His hip.
