Page 81 of Remade

The hysteria settled within me, suppressed by determination and anticipation.

I was almost there.

Sweat poured down my face, my heart started pounding again, and every muscle in my body protested, but I didn’t care. The trees were parting up ahead, revealing more and more sky. Pristine white sky.

Closer.

A little closer.

I climbed over a fallen tree and almost fell on the way down. Almost.

Then I started hearing voices.

“Recruit Watts inbound!”

“Riggs, get the medic kit! He’ll need fluids too!”

A whimper slipped out, and my eyes flooded with tears.

Oh my God, I couldn’t wait to see Bo. I needed to see the laugh lines that appeared when he smiled, the way the corners of his eyes crinkled, his perfect teeth, the warmth and charisma in each smirk, and the scruff that glinted lighter shades of brown and gray in the sun.

I grabbed on to a root and pulled myself higher, one foot on a rock, the other in the mud, hands coated in dirt and grime. My face was probably the same. My clothes were brown now. I’d only brought one change of clothes, and I’d bothered to wash them precisely one time. The only portion of my hygiene routine I’d been vigilant with was brushing my teeth—up until two daysago when I’d snapped my toothbrush in half and dropped it in a river.

Ten more feet.

It was a steep climb in this area, and I didn’t have the energy to find a better spot. I hauled myself up with sheer will, keeping my eyes fixed on the bright light ahead.

I sniffled and found purchase in a patch of tall grass. A few more steps. I grunted and cursed—and of course I got weepy again. I couldn’t fucking help it. I’d made it. The low brick building came into view, and so did the four operators standing outside the gates.

Bo, Coach, Riggs, and Rose.

I got to my feet with half a mind to kiss the ground just for being flat, and I jogged toward the men.

You made it, son. You made it.

I choked up.

Bo looked like he was torn between smiling and worrying to death, and he took off too. He ran for me.

I couldn’t walk another step. I slowed down and planted my hands on my thighs, and I just panted and gasped like a madman.

“Lie down, pup. You did it.”

I sniffled and shook my head. “I wanna collapse in the shower. If I… If I lie down now, I ain’t comin’ up.”

He chuckled and squeezed me to him, essentially holding me up. “Fair enough. Let’s get you inside right now, then.” He pressed a kiss to my temple, which I was sure he regretted already. “Oh, you smell amazing, baby.”

I choked out a laugh and wiped my cheek with my arm.

My legs were jelly, so I had to walk slowly.

“I fucking did it,” I whimpered.

“You sure did, Operator Quinn.”

Just like that, my back straightened, and I flashed my gaze to meet his.

Operator Quinn.

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