Page 66 of Sweet Little Lies

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Chapter 25

Lance

I see my brother.

He’s smiling and waving at me. But he’s so far away.

I’m so excited that he’s there that I begin running toward him. Every step I take, it seems the distance grows more and he gets further and further away.

And then my mother steps into view.

Her smile is angelic and beautiful. She waves as well. She and my brother are holding hands, both smiling and just standing there. Far enough away that I can’t reach them, but close enough that I know it’s them.

I’m so happy to see them that it doesn’t register for a second that I don’t know why they’re here. What are they doing?

I call out, panicked and frantic.

“Mom! Landon!”

They smile and stare off behind me, as if they don’t see me.

Then there’s light so bright I have to shield my eyes from the intensity. My eyes close on their own accord and when I open them again, my mom and Landon have turned away from me.

“No, wait!” I call out, my voice penetrating the silence. “Where are you going?”

They’re walking away from me.

“No, don’t go!” I plead, rushing forward but being stopped by my own feet which seem rooted to the ground.

It feels like quicksand and I’m being pulled down…

Down…

Down…

Down…

And then the light has disappeared, and I’m surrounded in pitch darkness.

Black.

~~~

I wake to the sound of low whispers and murmurs. My body feels weighted down with cement blocks. When I try to swallow I realize there’s something in my throat. I panic and thrash around until I feel calming hands on my arms and legs.

“It’s okay, Lance. We’ve got you.”

It’s Cade’s voice. When I can finally pry my eyes open, everything is blurry like I’m looking through a foggy window. Blinking a few times to clear my vision, I turn my head in the direction of his voice and see both him and Ainsley standing next to one another at the side of the bed.

Bed.

My eyes shift down the length of my torso. An unfamiliar blue blanket covers my legs and I’m wearing what looks like a hospital gown.

Dread and fear propels me upright, but I’m quickly shoved back down with Cade’s hand against my chest.

“Lay still, bro. Carver’s out getting the nurse and we’ll see about taking out the tube from your throat. It might take a while, so hang tight.”

Carver’s here too?

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