Page 165 of Symphony for Lies

She just needed one more turn. One more step.

“Please, Amelia.”

Fight back. Hear me. Find the way.

“Break free and run to me.”

I played, each note trembling with agony, echoing through the cold night.

“Please.” I hissed. “Please.’’

It felt like my heart was bleeding out with every second that passed. My vision was blurry. The sounds of the violin vibrated through my body just as loud as my pounding heart.

But then I saw movement, and a figure staggered out of the labyrinth’s entrance.

For a brief moment, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, but then I saw her.

Amelia.

My body reacted before my mind could catch up.

The violin slipped from my hands and crashed onto the pavement, shattering into two broken halves.

I didn’t care.I ran to her.

My vision tunneled until all I could see was her.

She could barely walk.

Her steps were weak and unsteady, and her body swayed as if she would collapse at any moment.

But I was there to catch her before she hit the ground, dropping to my knees with her in my arms, holding her tight while moving away from the damn labyrinth.

“Amelia. Amelia.”

My voice was broken.

Sheishere.

She is here.

But she was barely holding on.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Her voice was fragile, like shattered glass.

“Shh.” I pressed my lips to her temple and cheek, my arms tightening around her as if I could stop the pieces from falling apart.“Don’t you dare apologize.”

I smoothed my hands down her trembling arms. Her skin was like ice.

There was something warm. Wet.

My breath caught in my throat as I lifted my hand.

Bright red blood.

No…

I barely had time to register the horror slamming into me before my eyes dropped to her stomach andthe deep, gaping wound in it.

---