Page 187 of To Ashes and Dust
This wasn’t happening....
I’m so sorry...
Moira’s voice drifted through my mind. The nurses rushed around in blurred motions, voices flooding the room as a nurse began forcing air into her lungs.
No...
Please be careful...
Elena’s voice flitted through my mind as the nurses shouted murky words at each other, Cassie unmoving on the bed as Johnson prepared to try again.
I love you... mea sol.
Cassie’s body jolted again as Lucia’s voice shot across my mind. Her body fell limp again, the blaring ring shooting out across the room so piercing it was the only thing I heard, the only thing my mind would latch onto.
She was...
I just want to be close to you while I can.
The world shuddered, the earth beneath my feet threatening to break open and plunge me into the abyss. Time slowed as Johnson placed the paddles to her chest.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Darkness threatened to descend on me, my skin growing cold, and a voice slithered into my ear. “All you have to do is say yes...” Eris whispered, the air at my back icy.
Say yes...
All thoughts eddied out of my mind, all rationale leaving me. Those beautiful eyes remained closed, and I couldn’t take the thought of them never opening again, the thought of never seeing her smile again, never hearing her laugh.
I will claim something of yours at a later time.
The only thing I couldn’t bear to lose was Cassie. There was nothing I possessed that held the same weight as she did. The bond grew taut, winding and winding, nearly ready to snap, my chest growing so tight, I might crumple to my knees. I couldn’t lose her, couldn’t lay her to rest again. I wouldn’t. I didn’t care what it cost, didn’t care who suffered.
I would burn the world to ashes and dust if it meant she lived.
The words flew from my lips. “Swear to me you won’t hurt Cassie, that you won’t lay a finger on her.”
Eris remained silent for a moment, time slipping by at a snail’s crawl as Cassie settled into the bed.
“Fine,” she hissed in my ear, and she took my hand as she appeared before me, a wry grin tugging on her black lips. “It’s a deal.”
The fluorescents flickered as time resumed, the world shuddering, and Johnson and the nurses halted, their eyes darting around as their machinery malfunctioned, screens blipping. The ringing persisted, the green line flat across the monitor as I stood there.
She didn’t move, didn’t stir, and Johnson’s head dipped in defeat.
“No... Wait...” I breathed. It couldn’t be. Eris was supposed to...
“Time... 5:23pm...” Johnson breathed, eyes on his wristwatch. The nurses stood frozen in place, their eyes sorrowful as they looked over Cassie’s unmoving body on the bed.
Thalia’s whimpers and painful yips faded, the room growing silent despite their mouths moving.
I just want to be close to you while I can.
The nurses began the slow work of removing the ports from Cassie’s arms.
