Better Left Behind by Melinda Di Lorenzo

Author:Melinda Di Lorenzo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9781957748443
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2022-04-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

For the second time in far too short of a span, I awaken to find myself in an unexpected place. But unlike the slow pull to consciousness that I’d experienced after my accident in the Jeep, this one has no subtlety. One moment there’s nothing. The next, a putrid smell is filling my nose while my brain attempts to defog, and my eyes try to adjust to a sudden and unexpected darkness. And I’m chilled, straight to the bone.

So. Much. Cold. A shiver racks my body. Where am I?

I stay very still as I make an effort to answer the question. If my attacker is still nearby, I don’t want to draw their attention to my newly conscious state. Only my eyes move. First in a blink that doesn’t quite clear my vision and actually results in a fresh wave of dizziness, then to sink shut in an attempt to stave off the wobble.

Breathe, Calhoun.

In near silent compliance, I inhale and exhale slowly. The rotting smell that assaults my nose is almost enough to make me want to stop, but I force my way through it, drawing in the oxygen through my mouth as much as possible.

In. Out.

In. Out.

In. Out.

The wooziness fades. I don’t open my eyes again right away, though. I focus on what I can hear and feel instead.

The first thing I note is that it’s not quite silent. There’s a whooshing sound, rising and falling from somewhere nearby. For a few seconds, I assume it’s a renewed surge of wind. But I quickly realize it’s actually waves.

I’m near the water.

I don’t know if it’s much of a relief in and of itself—I could be anywhere on the island—but it’s good to pinpoint at least that small detail.

I repeat my slow breathing exercise a few more times.

In. Out. In. Out.

Then I move on with my assessment.

Having ascertained that the noise is water rather than wind, something which should’ve been obvious even before I considered it, because there’s no significant airflow. Not even a ruffle of my hair. But I am outside. That, I’m sure of. It’s not warm enough to be anywhere within four proper walls.

But where outside?

I explore by touch. Or rather, what’s touching me. I’m lying on my right side. The ground under me is soft. And when I wiggle my fingers just the tiniest bit, they meet with dirt. I dare to move enough to clutch at it, confirming. And yes. The mealy grit fills my palm. Something in my head says it should be the opposite of reassuring. Someone beat me. Drugged me. Dumped me here while I was unconscious. And this time, the culprit behind my relocation most definitely wasn’t Gabe. It’s all disturbing. But instead of throwing me further into a tailspin, the feel of the earth settles me a bit. I squeeze tightly for a long second before breathing in and out yet again, then loosening my fingers.

Feeling slightly better now, I lift my lids once more. I blink. And my eyes finally clear.

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