Here With Me

Nausea roils through my stomach, and I don’t make it far. I’m on one knee in the trees, holding on with all my strength. Roaring is in my ears, and all I can think is Taron… I have to get to Taron. He’s in there alone, and she’s there.

He can’t get Marley out by himself.

I’m letting everyone down…

“Here you are.” Strong arms grip my shoulders, but I’m too disoriented to make out his face.

Summoning all my strength, I lunge into his torso, taking him down with a grunt.

“What the hell?” He’s temporarily stunned, but he’s as strong as I am.

We’re locked in a wrestling match, turning on the ground, battling for dominance. I can’t let him win. I can’t let him kill us all. I have to take him out first.

I’m on top now, and I have him in a headlock. “Stop struggling.”

“Let me go.” The man orders, but my grip only tightens.

“How many are you?”

A scraping rasp comes from his throat, and he grips my arm, jerking down with force. He’s strong; he’s breaking my hold.

Closing my eyes, I have to hold on. I have to protect our team.

“Sawyer…” He growls through gritted teeth. “Let go, it’s me.”

My brow furrows, and I don’t understand. Adrenaline races through my bloodstream. Metallic taste is on my tongue.

“Sawyer…” Her jerks his elbow back, jamming it in my torso. “It’s Taron. Stop.”

The blow knocks the wind out of me. My grip slips, and the guy spins out of my grasp. He has me now, his arm across my shoulders. He’s on my back, and he takes me to the ground.

“Where are you?” He’s breathing hard, and his voice is right in my ear.

I’m on my stomach breathing hard, and my vision starts to clear.

“Talk to me. Where are you?”

Fuck. Shame and fear are an electric blend in my stomach. “I’m home.” Gasping for air, I hold his arm. “Let me go, Taron, I’m at the shed. I’m at Noel’s store.”

He releases me at once, dropping onto his ass and leaning back against the tree. “Shit.”

I roll onto my back, doing my best to calm my breathing. My hands are on my chest, and I look up at the deep green leaves overhead. Above them, gray clouds are rolling across the sun. It’s going to rain today.

My insides ache, and I roll to my side, getting on my hands and knees so I can rise to my feet. It takes a minute for me to calm the tremors. Remnants of adrenaline are still in my blood, and I feel like I’ve run a marathon.

I look over at my friend, whose knees are bent. He’s resting his elbow on one knee, scrubbing his eyes with his hand.

“Are you okay?” I stagger to my feet and walk over, putting a hand on the tree trunk above his head.

I reach down, and he grabs my arm, allowing me to haul him to his feet. When I try to pull away, his grip on my arm tightens.

“How often is it happening?” Taron’s wolf eyes slice into mine.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I try to pull my arm back, but he holds me stronger.

“Cut the bullshit. You nearly took my head off.”

“You startled me.” It’s the same excuse I used in the nursing home. “I didn’t hear you coming.”