Im fine.
Then why are you shaking? I almost asked Bret why he was shaking, but I realized that he actually wasnt shaking; it was the force of my tremors rocking him. It was unnerving to know this, but I couldnt stop myself. Its ok, were safe right now.
I bit on my lip as I managed a brief nod. It was Cade that un-wrapped the remains of the tentacle from my leg. Bret helped me to my feet, for a moment I was terrified that my wobbling legs would not hold me, but they did. Bret rubbed my arms gently as he held me before him. The thing? I managed to croak out.
Dead. Cade was beside us, my revolver in his hand. He slid a bullet into it, spun the cylinder, and slammed it shut. He studied me for a long moment, his eyebrows drawn together as he handed the gun toward me again. Are you going to be ok with this?
Maybe she shouldnt have it, Bret protested instantly.
Bethany? Cade inquired.
I swallowed heavily and forced myself to nod. Of course I will.
Beth
I need something to help protect us Bret.
Were fine for now.
For now , I reiterated.
His soft green eyes were dark, hesitant. I could see the worry and fear in them. I could also see the love. He touched my cheek lightly as he took a step toward us. Cade thrust the revolver in between us, I took a startled step back as it was pushed in between Bret and I. Bret shook his head but didnt protest further as I took the gun from Cade again.
CHAPTER 8
I staggered through the door of the antique shop. My legs were shaking, my stomach heaved as I slumped to the floor. I could barely catch my breath; my lungs were on fire as I struggled to keep control of my shaking body. I jumped when hands seized hold of me, trying to lift me back up. Its ok Bethy.
It wasnt ok, both Aiden and I knew that, but I wasnt about to protest. He hauled me to my feet, pulling me beside him as he led me through the store. It was a good thing that Aiden was more graceful than I was, I would have knocked everything in the store over if he hadnt been leading me. My stomach rolled again, bile burned the back of my throat but I refused to vomit, I would not lose the meager contents of my stomach here.
Stairs Bethy, where are the stairs? he hissed in my ear.
I managed to raise a tremulous arm and point in the direction of where the stairs were. He took a sharp right as he headed for the door, holding me up as he pulled the door open. The stairs were dark, neither Aiden nor I wanted to turn the light on. We felt our way through the dark, struggling not to fall down the steep steps. We were halfway down when I vomited.
I simply couldnt hold it in anymore. The awful screams, sights, and sounds haunted my every moment.
Aiden paused, leaning against the wall as he held me against his chest, gently rubbing my hair. I was shaking, on the verge of vomiting again when Bret stepped into the stairwell followed swiftly by Cade. I pulled away from Aiden as I leapt forward, scrambling to try and get back out as Cade started to close the door. No, wait! I gasped, stumbling up a few steps. Wait!
Bethy.
Let go of me! I nearly screeched when Aiden wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me back toward him. Panic was clawing at me, tearing through me in unending waves of horror. I cant be here! Aiden, let go of me!
He didnt let me go; instead he pulled me further down the stairs, dragging me into the darkness. Bret and Cade followed slowly behind as I struggled within Aidens grasp and then went limp. Cade found the cord and pulled the switch on the light. I ducked my head, unable to look; my eyes were still wounded from the bright light of earlier. I blinked rapidly as I tried to focus my gaze.
I was covered in blood, some of it was mine. Most of it wasnt. And not all of it was from that creature. I wanted to deny that fact, but I couldnt. I knew deep in my heart that most of the blood was from my neighbors, my friends. That thing had exploded like a fat tick, ripe with all the blood of the people
we knew.
Bethy youre safe, be glad. I couldnt be glad; there was no way that I could ever be glad again. I barely knew how to breathe anymore, let alone be happy I was still breathing.
Aiden was practically carrying me now. Where is the room? Bret asked softly.
Cade was suddenly before us, his eyes dark and distant. There was a hardness to him that I had not noticed before, a coldness that left me almost as shaken as the bloodbath we had just witnessed. I thought I might throw up again.
I was stumbling, staggering, my head was spinning. I heard Abbys gasp of fear, relief filled me as darkness descended over me.
***
I didnt know what time it was when I woke up. I did know that everyone else in the room was sound asleep, and I needed to get the hell out of here. I was silent as I stood; I tried hard to control the frantic beat of my heart, and the rising panic trying to claim me. I breathed a sigh of relief when I found the switch for the door and pushed on it.