Page 30 of Calla's Boys

Knowing we’ll all be linked helps soothe my frazzled nerves, but it doesn’t calm the fear that’s racing through me.

Clyde comes over to me, and though he can’t see them through my sunglasses, he looks me in the eyes as he carefully loops and securely ties the rope that will bind us together.

His demeanor is calm, but I get the sense of excitement he’s feeling. I don’t know if it’s the promise of adventure, or the risk that’s got him pumped up, and I don’t ask.

“There, all done. You’ll be safe with us,” he says quietly, sliding his hands around my waist as he pulls me in for a kiss, leaving me feeling even more breathless than I was a moment ago.

I wobble slightly on my feet, and I’m grateful for his hands keeping me in place, so I don’t completely lose my balance.

“Thanks,” I reply, smiling faintly up at his handsome face.

I wish I could feel some of the confidence he exudes, but I’m nowhere near as steady as he seems to be.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Billy

I’m a little bit worried about Calla. She’s been unusually quiet, but she hasn’t indicated any discomfort or shown that she’s not okay.

I’m about to ask her if she’s okay when Clyde comes over with the ropes. He must be ready to continue. I put my worry on the back burner for now, though I’m still going to watch her closely and make sure she’s alright.

None of us would let anything happen to her; that’s why we’re taking all of these safety precautions. We’re risk-takers, but none of us has a death wish—as far as I know.

Besides, we’d be well and truly fucked if anything did go wrong. She’s our entire reason for being here, and without her, I’m sure we’d all feel lost. Calla has given us all so much, not just of herself, but everything else she’s done for us since we met her.

Once we’re all ready to move, I reach back and give her hand a reassuring squeeze before we slowly start moving forward. Calla squeezes back, holding on a little tighter and longer than I expected.

I give her a smile and she returns it. I open my mouth to speak, but Clyde’s voice cuts across what I was going to say to her.

“Let’s go! Slow and steady, guys. We want to reach the top in one piece and all together.”

He sets the pace, and we all follow. Silently concentrating on where we step and on the path ahead, we begin our slow ascent of the mountainside again.

As we gain altitude, the air gets thinner and thinner, and soon, we’re all feeling the burn as we struggle to get enough oxygen. We’re really high up now, but we still have a long way to go.

I feel a tug on the rope as it pulls tighter, and I glance back at Calla and Jesse. Calla seems to be falling somewhat behind, as much as the rope will allow her to.

“Wait, we need to slow down,” I call out to Clyde, who stops and turns to look back at all of us.

We wait a moment for Calla to catch up again, but something doesn’t seem quite right.

Her movements are less coordinated, and she looks as though she’s really struggling.

“Calla, are you okay?” I ask as she finally catches up.

She sways unsteadily on her feet as she looks at me and shakes her head.

“I feel faint,” she whispers weakly.

We all shout as she topples, nearly going over the edge, and we rush backward to try and catch her before she can.

“Calla!” I yell as loud as my lungs will let me as I grab for her and miss.

Jesse is quicker, catching a hold of her hand and gripping it tightly in both of his as she slips. The rope pulls tight as he falls to the ground, still holding onto Calla.

He groans at the exertion, weakened by the lack of oxygen, but somehow managing to hold on.

My heart jumps out of my chest at the sight of the two of them, and the rest of us grab the ropes in our hands, holding tightly.

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