Page 270 of Nemesync
Tonight was no different. While Elijah and Niko were on the balcony, talking and gazing at the sky, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
The air seemed caught in my throat, and I could almost feel hands around my neck,his hands. The ones that cut my screams years ago.
I wanted to scream, but nothing came out—it was so loud in my head.
Too loud.
It’s not real, Zanae; it’s only in your head.
It’s raining heavily, and I needed to feel it on my skin; I had to get some air immediately. Without waiting, I ran outside the building.
As soon as I opened the door, I felt air rush into my lungs.
The rain caressed my face, drops falling brutally around me, drowning me in something beyond my own mind, washing away the sensation of hands around my neck, and I could finally feel my heart beating normally.
I allowed myself to be hugged by the rain, by the wind, by this constant but silent noise.Finally.
Elijah
Niko watched me, sipping his wine. “Do you think she’ll make it?”
The thought seemed absurd. Of course, she would. She’s the strongest person I know.
“I won’t give her any choice but to do so.”
A smile played on his lips as he replied, “She will. Last night we watched Criminal Minds with her again, and Ben made her laugh so hard.”
I gazed at the sky; the stars hidden by the pouring rain. “She loves that show.”
Niko placed his hand on my shoulder, grinning. “Yes, she does.”
Our eyes met, filled with anger and a thirst for vengeance.
“She deserves so much more.”
Niko looked down, his eyes full of curiosity, and he shouted, “Zanae, what the fuck are you doing out there?”
I lowered my gaze and saw a distant figure in the rain, face downturned, hands open to the downpour.
Without hesitation, I descended running down the stairs.
What are you doing, Zanae?
I reached the bottom and saw her, soaked through.
Approaching her, I placed my hands on her hips.
She smiled; it was the first real smile I’d seen from her in days.
But I noticed she was also crying, her tears blending with the rain on her beautiful face.
Feeling my touch, she opened her eyes and realized it was me.
I felt the water piercing through my entire body; in seconds, I was completely immersed in it.
“Milaya, what are you doing down here? You’ll catch a cold.”
She lowered her head, and her smile disappeared, leaving only the sound of her tears filling the space and the silence.
