Page 141 of Other Side Of Never
Pulled in a deep breath, then another as the pressure and panic in my lungs mounted.
I walked with her as close to the edge as we could safely muster while her body quaked like the leaves on the trees.
She tipped back her head, sucked in a breath, clenched her hands into fists, and roared my name into the ether.
“Hunter!”
She closed her eyes, relief apparent on her face.
I tipped my chin back, inhaled, and screamed into the wind.
The wind slapped the wet from her cheeks.
“Hunter!”She thundered, her voice breaking.“I miss you.”
Tears ran down her face.
And mine.
Throat tight with grief, I whispered, “It’s time to say goodbye, Harley.”
Face set in furious lines, she opened her chest, spread her arms wide, and raised her face to the sky.“Hunter!”
I turned with her.And as my name turned into a scream on her lips, I screamed with her.Veins popping out on my neck, I released my pain.
My regret.
My horror over what I’d done to them.
And when she dropped to the rock beneath our feet, I went with her.
Calmer now, I urged, “He’s a good man, Harley.Give your pain to him.”
“Hunter,” she rasped.“Hunter.Hunter.Hunter.”She cried, her face twisting with grief.“Hunter.”
“I’m so fucking glad you weren’t in that car, Harley,” I sobbed.
“Hunter,” she sobbed raggedly.“I’m so sorry.”
“I’m so fucking glad you get to live on in the world.You’re going to make beautiful babies with that man.That wishing stone?”A watery laugh broke from my lips as the certainty of her future pressed against my conscious.“He’s my wish for you.”
She curled up on her side and hugged her legs to her chest.
Lying down facing her, I cupped my hands around hers.“He’s coming.”
Her breathing evened out just as he arrived.I kissed my sister on her forehead and rose to meet him.
“Be good to her.”
“Harley,” he whispered.“I’ve got you.”
I watched as he curled around her on the ground.
Watched as she latched into him.
Watched as he held her through the storm and provided a safe place to land.
And when the tension drained from her face, I followed the pull that dragged me away.
