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Aches (Estrange Reality, #1) (English Edition)
Aches (Estrange Reality, #1) (English Edition)
Aches (Estrange Reality, #1) (English Edition)
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Aches (Estrange Reality, #1) (English Edition)

By C VA

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Estrange Achs boring existence's is abruptly interrupted by a strange incomprehensible dream and which awakens an uncontrollable desire, mixed with an intense thirst previously unknown... Prompted by this new sensation, he decided to leave the tranquility of the Amazon rainforest and find Alma, a little girl he had rescued in a plane crash and who, meanwhile, has become a beautiful young woman.
Their overwhelming attraction, magnetic and irresistible appears at their first meeting and culminates when Alma risk losing her life and Estrange also fast and noiseless as a feline sprung his arms around her transforming his body in a shield. Alma has no time to react. Frozen, in spite of herself, fascinated by the captivating approach of man, she tries to resist the temptation to flee. Estrange, in turn, is overwhelmed by a strange sensation: a wave of uncontrollable desire, mixed with intense thirst and previously unknown...
Because the man is one of those that mankind hates and hunts but she does not fear him! When Alma understood that the man who saved her life on several occasions is a vampire will be too late because their love is too intense and there in no detour.
An intense love story, their attraction to the other magnetic and irresistible charms us, revealing to us the unknown and magical bond between souls, far above a simple destiny of life and even beyond interstellar dimensions.

"I think, this is good film source; this novel is dense for a movie, and it play with context, rhythm, and above all, the extended narrative diversions into the past, present, and future. The lines that the characters actually speak are easiest part to get across on film. The tech could made the story even better in a film adaptation."

LanguageEnglish
PublisherC VA
Release dateFeb 29, 2012
ISBN9782953921861
Aches (Estrange Reality, #1) (English Edition)
Author

C VA

She began her career as a graphiste and she's still doing it when she conceive her book covers, but writing romance novels was her passion. She enjoys writing both YA and adult drama and steampunk romance infused with elements of magic and non-public scientific final research results, along with eerie SF novels. Carmen has two ongoing series, The Estrange Reality Series (vampire romance) and The Neural Network Series (SF & time travel romance, a comic book). All the titles are in french and are also available in english. When not behind her computer doing research for her novels out to come or writing, you can find her reading, usually something involving the eerie, supernatural or SF. She lives in France, Paris, with her two black & white mischievous cats. Carmen would love to hear from you! You can reach her at estrange.reality@gmail.com.

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Aches (Estrange Reality, #1) (English Edition) - C VA

ESTRANGE

REALITY

BOOK I

ACHES

BY

CVA

Translated from French.

Translation revised by Jonathan Lambert.

Copyright © CVA, 2013

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The content is available for private use and not collective. The code of intellectual property allowing, in terms of Article L. 122-5. (2 and 3 a), first, that copies or reproductions strictly reserved for private use and not intended for collective use and, secondly, only the analysis and short quotations for the purposes of example and illustration. Any representation or reproduction in whole or in part without the consent of the author or his successors or assigns shall be unlawful (art. L. 122-4).

This representation or reproduction, by any means whatsoever, constitute an infringement punishable by articles L. 335-2 and following of the Code of intellectual property.

English revised version.

***

ANY RESEMBLANCE

TO PERSONS LIVING OR DEAD IS ENTIRELY COINCIDENTAL.

***

To E.

Without him

this story would have been

irrevocably

lost

in

the twilight.

***

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

1 RANDOM

2 DREAM

3 WILLINGNESS

4 IMPACT

5 AWAKENING

6 DIFFICULTIES

7 INCOMING

8 MANNERS

9 CONFESSION

10 VICISSITUDES

11 LOST

12 SMASHING

13 EXCHANGE

14 DIM LIGHT

15 ASTONISHMENT

16 REVERSAL

17 HORIZON

18 VERA

19 FEARS

20 UNLEASHING

21 EPILOGUE

NOTES

It is said that some lives are connected until the fulfillment of their destiny through time by a strange light.

***

I spent my life until now, hiding from those who are different, living in a world where my talents are used to serve the GOOD. But when everything becomes unbearable and we want to give up, the hunt begins...

Am I the only one?

***

PROLOGUE

Was I ready for the end of this theater play in which the universe had cast me a role? Would I be prepared for such a test? Or, maybe... My mind was numb from all these years? Was it all in vain? Beyond my anger and my distress, I had a brief glimmer of hope. All this was over and I would soon get away with her...

I took a step, crossed the threshold... My view became confused... my breath had stopped, and in front of me, in a twinkling... I saw a nightmare...

The smell of blood, I had loved so much before, had twisted my heart with sorrow now. The desk was spilled, near a fallen chair. With a prowess, frozen fingers, unbreathing, I pushed the door a bit more to unveil another part of this agony...

A roar arose from my chest and I raged, trying to understand what had really happened...

The light changed, shadows sprang out of nothingness and twined together to formed deeply thick smoke clouds, which gradually morphed into a human form...

I screamed in terror...

Everything disappeared and the darkness reigned again...

At the end of the longest tunnel, I saw the one who had always accompanied me, lurking in the shadows - the predator... It was there... It was approaching... I heard its roar. It was ready. Its prey was at his feet...

I looked around me, bewildered. I saw only my own reflection... It sneered...

1

RANDOM

"Cessna 123AB, if you are reading this, squawk indent. Cessna 123AB, si vous m’entendez, enclenchez l’identification."

The whisper of the forest was interrupted by an afflicted voice. Nature seemed frozen by this sudden intrusion, and the twittering of the birds ceased.

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, ici GS-ABC sur 121,5, à tout avion ou contrôle dans mon secteur, ma position est 6° 48’ 1 50.42 Nord et 37° 22’ 1 27.30 Ouest de EBLG, 5000 pieds, 90 nœuds, transpondeur 7700, réacteur hors service, pas de pression huile, demande assistance médicale et anti-incendie après atterrissage d’urgence dans mon secteur.

The voice was meant to sound calm, but the message was not reassuring: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, this is GS-ABC on 121.5, to any aircraft or control in my vicinity, my position is 6° 48’ 1 50.42 North and 37° 22’ 1 27.30 West of EBLG, 5000 feet, 90 knots, Squawk 7700, engine is down, no oil pressure, requesting medical and fire assistance for a crash landing in my vicinity.

Certainly, something was wrong! The captain articulated every word clearly and relentlessly, calling for help in the heavens, hoping that someone would come to rescue him. The transceiver was placed on a rock while the whole team was meeting for a training mission.

Heads turned as if by magic, all at the same time, to the right. The voice continued to call for help and all eyes looked with curiosity at the transponder.

We took it every time we left the camp. Never really knowing why except that it was a part of the equipment. It was never useful to us. We did not need to be saved, we already were! The Colonel told us, at every meeting, about his most important mission in which the hero was... a Walkie-Talkie! This is what we called it, because it allowed itself to be carried instead of talking!

Well, one thing was sure – we followed the rules.

The transponder! The Walkie-Talkie is speaking—

Oh, shit! You’re right, Victor, said Thomas.

As you say— said Dorian.

Is it you, sir?

Why would it be me, soldier? I winced watching Thomas with curiosity.

Because... you always do a little bit too much— he said, chuckling.

I could not believe it. I looked at him, puzzled.

"What exactly do you mean by a bit too much?"

With you, each training mission seems real, sir!

"Well this time, it’s not me. It’s real, soldier! I stared at those who had already arrived at the meeting point, and I seized my gun and commanded them: Get your stuff! All Aboard! Victor?"

Yes, sir! The distress call comes from the northeast. A plane, I think.

"Do you think, Victor?"

I know that the aircraft is unable to continue its flight to Cayenne Rochambeau airport, so we will be compelled to host it at our base, in Kourou, sir. We don’t have any indication about the number of passengers.

He looked at the scanner. He turned it on quickly and, by connecting it to the computer found the exact location and details on the aircraft. The 3D view of the scanner showed a hologram of the flight path. The calculations appeared on the screen at a high rate of speed, but I knew that the final outcome would be as my intuition was telling me.

Good— I pretended to look at my watch; my biological clock was never wrong. Time is limited! We must be there as soon as possible. After the control tower loses communication and the aircraft disappears from radar, the alarm shall be raised by the Rescue Coordination Center and recovery operations will be immediately triggered. Dorian?

Colonel, Sir?

Call the base in Kourou! Tell them we are coming! They have to prepare the main track because there are more than 700 passengers on board, and the firefighters, too. We must act quickly, because the plane is in fast descent. We’ve noted their direction. If the plane does not arrive at the airport, we will recover it in the jungle! Run Dorian—

Yes, sir, I will inform the Colonel of the situation!

Very well done soldier! Hurry!

Grinning, I turned facing them, running in reverse.

"I think your virtual mission, gentlemen, has turned into a real Mission!"

They looked at me smiling, I had trained them to prepare for the unknown and I knew that each of them loved the danger. Every one should be well served by this event.

***

Colonel, how do we get out of here? Thomas coughed and looked up at me, while his arms were still fighting the water.

The plane crashed while attempting to land. It had failed to reach the airport runway. It had broken into three parts. A large hole had formed in the fuselage behind the cockpit. It had not fully caught fire - the tail of the aircraft struck the high trees, scraped the branches and the aircraft had come down. We had arrived too late. The pilot had brought the plane down between the edge of the forest and the river. The weight of the aircraft caused a breakdown of the riparian land and the fuselage was inclined 30° towards the river. Every second that passed risked the drowning of the survivors.

I began to roar: Victor—

Yes, Sir?

Contact the General Manager for the National Airport in Kouru; if you do not find him, try the Colonel! He can help! I want a complete list of passengers and crew! We need to know the exact number of people on board. We must find them all! Dorien! Where are the rescue teams?

"About two hours from here, Sir. The Rescue Coordination Centre, despite monitoring the frequency, did not hear the plane’s Mayday call! We told them about it! The telephone lines, which of course are connected with various and specialized units of air traffic control and adjacent agencies, have begun tracking the air traffic and they are waiting to act if needed. Currently, all land and air resources are being deployed. You know Colonel Harcourt! His staff is trying, in a race against time, to locate the crash site! Basically, they were not ready for such a huge intervention, sir! And they are waiting on our report. It is up to us to find the plane first!"

Yes, they have always complained that nothing important happens in Cayenne... They said that if there was something they could show that...

745 passengers and 15 crew members, sir! Colonel Harcourt responded before the General Director from National Airport! Victor interrupted me and forced his voice to be heard.

Colonel! We found it! Look! Axel stood fifteen feet away from me and pointed at a piece of metal jutting out of the river.

I heard a low moan far away and I turned to the soldier behind me.

Axel! On your right! 20 yard away! Hurry! A woman! She can not move! Thomas, go with him! Everyone! Deploy! Victor! Come with me! Let’s see what happened closer to the river!

Victor followed me in silence. We climbed the half crushed tree trunks, and we approached the edge of the river. I pointed out three people desperately clinging to a tree trunk floating on water. He jumped in quickly and helped them reach the land and reassured them. Then, I saw another group. In the middle, an injured person was lying on a piece of the fuselage. I reached him before he slid into the water.

I’ll get you to the beach. Try to remain still. Do not struggle. It will be easier for me to help you.

Mr. ... said a plaintive voice that came from the trees along the river. I turned carefully, so as not capsize the survivor I was guiding to the edge. Sir... There... Further in the swamp. The woman held out her red and bleeding arm and pointed to a far away place. My husband is over there. Can you go and... She stopped, choking on her tears, and, overcome with emotion, she took her face in her hands.

I’ll get him, don’t worry. Victor—

Yes, sir! I’m here! I rescued three people so far! The guys have set up a survival area and so far we checked and we found that most have only minor scratches! How is it going with yours?

He fainted!

I turned around, watching those who were still in the river. Some of them were able to swim and find their way to Victor.

I tried to reassure them. Go forward, slowly, to the edge of the river; if necessary, the Corporal Victor will help you to reach the rescue area. The rescue team is almost here. I turned to Victor who gave a slight nod at my statement. Hmmm... We would have to act quickly because the end of the day was near and the survivors could not remain overnight in the jungle. I’ll keep going, Victor. Hurry up! We must finish this before sunset—

Where are you going, sir? he asked, troubled. His eyes scrutinized me while he moved his hands in his pockets.

To the swamps there. I pointed to the middle of the wide river, near the island. Carry on, Victor! We must act quickly—

Colonel— he said anxiously. You know, the current is very strong there. There is also quicksand.

Enough, Victor—

Yes, I know. If anyone can do it alone, it’s... you.

Yes, I can handle it, I think.

My voice seemed slightly arrogant. I looked at him one last time and swam to the place known as Devil’s Corner due to a series of accidents and senseless deaths that occurred during the training simulations in the equatorial forest. I knew that if someone had fallen here, the chances of survival were zero unless they were born under a lucky star or had a guardian angel - which I did not believe.

The intertwining vines formed an impenetrable grid around the island. The trees, twenty feet high, were devoid of branches for at least two yards from the ground. It was impossible to climb and to hide or to use to them to get out of this swamp, if you did not measure more than eighty yards. The roots beyond the earth were intermingled with vines and covered the river in several places.

I swam ten more yards and I stopped to listen to the silence. I listened for particular sounds - a human heart sounds different than an animal heart. I heard no heartbeat anywhere. I tried to catch a scent, but the mixture of dead algae, wet wood and decomposing animal bodies filled my nostrils instead. I inspected the area again and I decided to leave. I swam a few strokes and stopped...

Aaahh— I yelled.

A kind of pain gripped me...

But what was it?

A mixed feeling...

I turned around and went back to the place that drew me like a magnet. I had the feeling that a harpoon had been launched right in my heart, well anchored, pulling me with force. Stunned by the pain, I looked at the extended water, but I saw nothing except the dead algae. The more I advanced, the more I was hurt. The fire that I felt was not hot but cold. This was strange, a fire without heat ... How could it burn me? It was so bad that I immersed myself completely to calm my torment with open eyes, until I started to sink to the bottom...

And there, more than one yard under water, I saw something clear, almost transparent, that moved with uncontrolled movements. I approached cautiously. There were two legs in the middle of a core full of algae and tree roots. Advancing quickly, I realized that a canoe had overturned and that someone was stuck underneath. I felt a wave of merry warmth fill my heart and I smiled.

I raised the canoe with one hand and I caught firmly a body. Barely had I raised it, when I heard a cry, and I almost lost hold of it. It was as if the current carried the person’s legs to try to help save them, but numbed, they no longer responded. The lightness of the body surprised me. By increasing the pressure of my fingers, I succeeded in bringing it to the surface. It was a little girl about six years old.

The feelings I felt were overwhelming.

I am dying, sir? Tell me. she asked.

I was so cold now - the fire had done its job in burning me - I could not feel much except her heat while I kept her above the waves.

Her hair was mixed with seaweed and her skin was pale after all this time spent in the water. She looked like a dead body that was talking. I swallowed with difficulty, and gently rubbed her back to warm her.

I’ve fished you out, right? I murmured, looking at her with a smile. I squeezed her too tightly to see her face, but I heard her voice trembling slightly.

Yes. How did you do it?

These children! Always asking embarrassing questions.

I am strong. Stronger than you, I mean.

She wanted to reply, but the water decided to come out of her stomach instead.

Okay, I said. I gotta get you out of here. Stand still.

She was too weak and seemed terrified to leave her shelter under the pirogue and let the waves take possession of her.

I left with a kick the place where she had created with her beating feet, an abyss devoid of algae. I swam to the shore, holding her under my arm with her head above the water when a wave violently covered her face.

No! she cried, pumping her feet, panicked.

The agitation of the river had shaken us and she began to move wildly, and tried to turn and hang on to my neck with weak arms and pulling up her knees.

Stop it— I ordered sharply.

I do not want to drown— yelled the girl who thrashed again.

Stop moving! It was more difficult than I thought. Let yourself float without moving. Trust me!

I forced her to remain still, but it was impossible! It was incredible, how she seemed to mobilize all her strength to wriggle!

We were gliding through the waves as if we were being pulled over to the sandy shores. The water flow did not hinder my swimming. I advanced quickly, at a near world record pace. Then I felt sand under my feet but I continued until I was sure she could walk on it.

We made it. Can you get up? I let her go and she fell again, head first into the waves. I caught her easily before she choked and I threw her over my shoulder. I said nothing; only my breathing showed my irritation. My boots left huge footprints in the wet sand.

We will reach the others, by this route, I murmured while changing direction.

As I approached the rescue area, I saw her eyes linger on each face, but she was tired and she dropped her head on my shoulder with a sigh, her arms were around my neck.

It was getting darker and the sun was ready to set. The soldiers had set up this encampment in the only open area that they could find in the jungle. The rain would not take long to start. It was hot. Hot and heavy. The girl was trembling hard and her teeth were chattering

Colonel, what have you there?

Victor approached fast. His face was tired.

Get me a blanket, Victor— I cried, but I did not have to move more.

He immediately complied. I took the bedspread and I wrapped it around her tightly.

She shivered, her skin was cold... I sat her against the tree on which the last of the sun’s rays still lingered, near a tent, gently removing her arms from my neck.

I am... cooold— she stammered.

It will pass, I said and let her go, troubled, stroking her head.

I tried clumsily and in vain to remove some dead seaweed from her hair. I was just pulling her strands of hair. I felt ashamed. She was brave, so little... she made me realize that I was weak.

I walked away; Victor was at my heels.

I can not help her more— I muttered.

It’s normal, sir, the children... uh... are special, as my mother said. There was bitterness in his voice. He passed before me, preventing me from asking him what he meant.

I approached Thomas. I wanted to know more about the rescue team. But I could no longer concentrate. All my senses were confused. I did not know if this was due to the number of wounded. I felt the pain, the despair, and the weakness... a discomfort so deep...

Why had that plane crashed here? What was the cause of the crash? Experience had taught me that behind every event was one cause, a trigger and... a reason.

Make it stop—

No, I will not do it... again! I can resist... Oh! This attraction, this... Why now? Why here? What was causing it?

I stuffed my hands in my pockets. I tried to resist the temptation. I had to hang on, and find a reason to divert my attention. I was trying to understand... How could I make it go away? Millions of images passed before my eyes. There were hundreds of ways to do it. The easiest one - which I had almost forgotten – would renew my strength with the very pulse of life. All these images were only reasons for continuing, not to dwell on the why, to bow to the necessity. I rubbed my face with my hands.

I must pull myself together.

Then I smoothed my hair, pulling it back, sticking it to my scalp, repeating the gesture... Time went by... Unconsciously, I moved away...

Are you planning to say what you wanted to do?

Tyrone— I exclaimed with happiness in my voice. Incredibly, there still was a glimmer of hope! I almost thought he had specifically chosen this moment to make his appearance.

You look as if you have been having a good time— he continued, casually.

It was fun, until I— I turned to watch him: his arms were crossed over his chest, his eyes accusing me. My teeth were chattering, but he understood what I was saying.

They arrived—

I’m here, right?

I winced. He always had this arrogant attitude! Hmm! He would never change!

Why this delay? How can they call it a rescue? I said in a skeptical tone.

He growled and stared at me. They were not ready for an event like this. I insisted that they come immediately with the equipment they had on hand—

But it shall take hours to get them all out of here. One night in this hell will cause them trauma for life, I accused him, outraged.

Stop screaming, it’s not worth it. They know you’re here, they all rely on you, he said, staring at me.

It’s really stupid, you know. I spat the words out. I wanted to have a real leader in front of me, someone who thought like a leader, but not one which could jeopardize everything. I should have jumped at his throat.

Your friends do it well, the work. he exhaled loudly and I felt a slight reproach in his voice.

They are soldiers and they are sturdy.

What was he up to? Why this change of attitude? Why this difference from the way he was before? Was it only my impression? Was it me? Or did the situation have me hallucinating?

They are especially well trained, he said. The rescuers also...

In a pool, they may get by. I said. Tyrone it’s the rainy season. Did they not realize this, or what?

I was staring at him, and he was eyeing me, frowning and half closing his eyes.

No, he admitted. He nodded his head and pursed his lips, keeping his arms crossed over his chest.

Stupid! This is stupid... I repeated.

Yeah, he confessed with a sigh. He stared at my hands hidden in the pockets of my trousers, and, under the intensity of his gaze, I shoved them in deeper. He scrutinized my face, scanned my facial features. He was trying to decipher the nature of my turmoil. He wrinkled his nose and tightened his shoulders.

And what are you doing here? When did you get here? Another stupid mission? I thought you would have permission for a longer period of leave, after you almost died like a bird with your feathers into the snow. I wanted to joke about the mission when we met. A mission that finally had a happy ending.

It was almost dark in the jungle and I was, for the first time in over a decade, tired. The shadows around us, as well as the forest, were changing.

Well, you’re awake. It’s always you, he said laughing grotesquely, bursting the silence and shocking me.

Stop it, I moaned. Enough.

So I’ll tell you...

I did not want him to even talk to me and I closed my eyes.

After. I said, and I turned away from him.

I heard someone approaching our position - four soldiers from my company. Their march through the trees was barely audible. They were tracking my footsteps in the high vegetation. They stopped from time to time to find clues. I pricked up my ears when one of them stopped. He seemed discouraged.

Colonel? asked a deep and known voice.

Go forward ten yards, Thomas. Straight!

They advanced rapidly in our direction. All at once, the space behind me was filled with soldiers. I looked up. My eyes were full of anger which Tyrone had put there. Suddenly, I felt protected by their approach. The impassive face of Victor appeared first, and then his friends took their places at his right. Their faces went from me to Tyrone.

I stared at Tyrone, annoyed.

Help has arrived, but they are only half ready! said Victor, looking at Tyrone. The missile patrol, which was dispatched by the National Airport General Director to assist the wounded, is scheduled to arrive shortly. We checked each name on the passenger list, and not everyone has been found yet. There are still two missing! The crew is also seriously wounded, especially the pilot and copilot. They will leave with the first helicopter. The Rescue Commander wants to talk to you, sir.

Alright. See you later, Corporal. Tyrone! Let’s go. I ordered, and we moved off to the left.

A small path led toward the clearing. I had taken this path on arrival but the others had not found it. We quickly climbed the steep path behind us and the forest returned to tranquility. No one passed me. In my peripheral vision I saw Victor and the three other soldiers. As I watched them untangle the vines, they seemed to blend into the landscape. They were one with the environment. Hmm! I did a good job!

I cast a furtive glance at Tyrone; he walked behind me, and he also seemed to be one with the forest. He looked even more annoyed, more restrained, than during our conversation, or even the last time we had seen each other. It was disturbing.

We reached the survival area, which was a little lower than where I had ventured before. We swept an area of 250 square miles on the ocean side. A surveillance aircraft was flying over the disaster area and another one circled above the target. The emergency medical tents were surrounded by a barrier separating them from the common area. Men in white ran in all directions and the noise of helicopters (Panther and Puma) was overwhelming. Rain dripped from their hair and their uniforms were soaked but they did not seem to notice. Rain also fell along the large leaves of the trees, while the sun was struggling to break through the clouds. It was already getting too late! Too late for the wounded in the middle of the jungle in the rainy season. Too late for me if things did not change.

I must get away, and fast...

I wanted to continue on, but I heard voices complaining. I knew who was there. And that’s why I had to get away...

Why can’t I hurry on?

I turned my head. A group of six women surrounded a small gray spot. The soldiers were all stopped, just like me. It was at that moment that I realized that the little girl, under her pile of blankets, was shaking uncontrollably. I felt helpless because I could do nothing for her.

Is she ok? I asked Thomas in a hesitant voice. No one answered. There was something wrong. Thomas? I moaned, but no one answered. I touched her forehead, it was cold. At my contact, her tremors ceased. I felt the coldness of her skin pierce mine, like the bite of ice. We must warm her while she is sleeping, I whispered.

No, Sir. Thomas’s voice seemed far away, and one of the soldiers came closer.

He took my arm to get me away from there. I tore myself from his embrace with such strength that I heard him groan. My instinct told me something was wrong...

Thomas? Where are the rescuers?

Colonel, the emergency team has been warned.

I looked at him while I held my palm closer to the girl’s face.

So? She is not important enough to be saved, is that it?

No, that’s not it. They cannot do anything. Apparently there is a problem with her blood type and we can’t give her a transfusion.

My fingers were like claws, and in my rage I could have hurt her. I quickly withdrew my hand. I passed my fingers through my hair and massaged my forehead as if to remove a bad idea.

Take her.

Thomas leaned toward her with open arms, but he stopped when I pushed him away from her. I realized that I did not want someone else to take over.

I’m on it, Thomas. I said, and with my arm under her back I lifted her easily when I got up.

Her body seemed lighter, as if something went away gently...

Okay, said Thomas. He got up and waited.

My legs gave way at the thought of life drifting away from her. Thomas caught me in my fall. Instinctively, I struggled against his hands, threatening to bring down the little girl. Several arms approached me. I did not want their assistance. It was too much. Thomas caught me again, keeping the others from me as if he understood my aversion. The little girl swayed in my arms. I frowned, angry when Thomas shook the blankets around her.

What’s going on? Tyrone asked, drawing near. His breathing was still calm and steady.

The girl. He wants to save her, but it’s too late. Victor replied in a mechanical tone before realizing what he had just said.

Madness, said Tyrone.

I gave him a furious look, but his face was impassive and determined. Sullen, I surrounded her with my arms. I struggled with the blankets to free her hand. I wanted to feel her pulse. Only I could be sure that life had not left her.

Madness, you say? I asked, disgusted.

What for? Tyrone said as he looked up to the sky.

In a sudden and quick movement, he nodded to me and grabbed her hand.

Hey! I objected. I was amazed and surprised at my outburst.

He gave me a wry smile and dropped her hand. Her arm fell heavily. If you want to, well... he said.

I knew what he was thinking, but at that time, I did not care in the least. If he asked me why I wanted so much to save her, I could not answer him. Even I did not know the reason. I had a strange desire to rescue this little girl, and I didn’t know why.

I walked to the first rescuer that I saw, with Tyrone on my tail. The girl had not moved for far too long. Her head was lolling back and forth, rocking to the rhythm of my steps.

Sir, there are others. the rescuer’s tone irritated

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