Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(34)

By eight forty-eight in the morning, Henry barges through the bedroom door and flies over to Maggie. The rest of us leave them alone and Arnold escorts us each to a guest room. I don’t let anyone follow me into mine, not even Jared. I text Kim to let her know that Henry has arrived and she confirms that she’ll call the rest of the family. I slump onto the bed and curl up with Sadie. My eyes stare blankly at the wall across from me until exhaustion weighs my eyes closed.





Sixty


As I attempt to lift my heavy eyelids, I discover a hazy darkness surrounding me. Blinking slowly several times, my half-opened eyes won’t focus to give me any clear indication of what’s around me and where the blurry, flashing lights above are coming from. My body feels heavy. Still unable to open my eyes all the way, I perceive that I’m laying down somewhere. A cool dampness near my left cheek reveals itself as a slight gust of air brushes past my face. Sliding my right arm up the side of my body like a snake, my fingers creep to my lips. Drool — or, at least I hope so.

Two large and oddly shaped figures materialize in front of me. They are so close, only a foot or two away. Voices suddenly emanate from the now more defined silhouettes. Their speech sounds muffled and trails off into the distance even as I try to concentrate on their words. Who are they? What are they saying? Why can’t I understand them? One of the voices almost sounds feminine.

Another indistinguishable sound gradually becomes more apparent as it grows louder and the ringing in my ears subsides. It’s the engine of a car. My brain finally starts to put the fuzzy pieces of evidence together. I must have fallen asleep in the back seat. A familiar smell creeps into my nose that reassures me — my mother’s perfume.

“Mom?” my throat squeezes out in a raw, breathy, hoarse tone.

The face of one of the figures sharply turns in my direction, but I can’t make out who it is. The sound of a baby crying in the distance catches my attention. I sit up to see where the child is, but I’m blinded by light.

The wail of the baby gets louder as I suddenly find myself in a stark white bathroom with the only contrast being large, red puddles all over the floor. My head snaps around and I see Maggie in the corner, wearing a blood-drenched nightgown as she holds something in her arms.

“Maggie?” my voice cracks.

I slump to my knees as my right hand reaches for her — for them. Both of their eyes are large, black, lifeless holes and blood continues to seep from their bodies, filling the puddles on the floor. The baby hangs limply in Maggie’s arms as the screams shoot out of Maggie’s mouth.

“Maggie!” I cry.

I move to console her, but my body is frozen, suddenly falling into a deep red abyss. Then, my body halts, as if suspended in air. I’m weighted and there’s blood all around me. From my chest down to my toes, my body is submerged in one of the deep bloody puddles a few feet away from Maggie. I’m fighting to keep my arms and head from sinking into the bloody pool, but my arms keep slipping along the floor, spreading more of the dark liquid all around.

“Maggie!” I scream out in terror.

The loud sound of a door being forced open snaps me awake and I’m met with Jared striding across the bedroom. Before he gets to me, I’m backing away. “No!”

“Emma,” Jared calls, reaching after me.

“No!” I yell, continuing to move away. “No, no, no!” I manage to slip into the bathroom and lock the door after almost tripping over my own feet.

“Emma, let me in,” Jared instructs with concern while banging on the door.

I shake my head in opposition as if he can see me.

“Emma, please,” he begs.

I hear people mumbling on the other side of my barrier, but I cover my ears and shake my head to rid myself of everything.

“Emma, please,” Jared pleas again, wrought with distress.

Continuing to profusely shake my head, I repeatedly mutter under my breath, “No, no, no, no, no, no, no . . . .” As my throat becomes dry and hoarse over time, exhaustion eventually takes over.





Sixty One


I wake feeling chilled, temporarily forgetting that I had fallen asleep on the marble bathroom floor. I crack the door open to make sure no one is in the bedroom before exiting. My head and body ache as if I’ve had nothing to drink but alcohol for days. My body slumps into the bed after I check to make sure the main door is locked.

I know I fell asleep at some point because I don’t remember when Ava came in with some food and tea, leaving it on the nightstand. She must have a master key for all the rooms.

By the time the sun starts to set, I leave the bedroom and head out to find Maggie. Voices reverberate throughout the halls, but no one sees me as I get to Maggie’s bedroom. The door opens effortlessly and without any noise. As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I discover two bodies wrapped around each other under the covers.


After leaving Maggie and Henry sleeping, I wander aimlessly and find my body taking me to the backyard. As I round the corner to the outdoor patio, Jade shouts my name. She and Sadie run wildly to me. I sweep Jade up, using her as cover from anyone else getting too close — I’m not sure when everyone arrived since I’ve been hiding in my room all day. Before I sit down with her in my arms, I find myself desperately clinging to her body. Jade doesn’t seem to mind and her compliance encourages my avoidance behavior.