Saving Death

Chapter 25

Ben held out his hand, and I stretched my own bloody hands out, glad to find I was no longer encased in the transparent holding cell. I took a cautious step forward, wobbling on my feet, but Ben grasped my wrist before I could fall. I winced at the pain in my hand, but righted myself, taking my arm back from his grip. I didn't want to touch him any longer than I had to.

"Come..." he said, as if coaxing a small child. Glancing behind me, I knew there was no point in running. If they could trap me in a glass box and tame Sam in a matter of seconds, what chance did I have? As if he knew what I was thinking, he spoke. "You know you can't outrun us, Ava. Come..." He held out an arm as if holding open a door for me.

I could feel the weight of his stare on me as I stepped towards him, my achy muscles protesting with every step. I only just managed to stay on my feet as I fumbled my way forwards through the fog of pain in my head.

As I rounded the corner, I saw Sam slumped in the chains, breathing heavily with a large, raw slash across his middle. Deep red blood seeped out from the wound and dribbled down his stomach.

"Sam," I whispered, stumbling towards him. I was surprised when I felt the dull warmth of his skin under my palms. Nobody had stopped me. Without hesitation, I pressed my good hand to his wounded torso feeling his muscles relax under my touch.

"It's not healing," he whispered.

"It's a mild poison," Ben mused out loud, "...thanks to Franco. He is especially gifted."

"Ava," Sam rasped in between taking ragged breaths. "You have to get out of here." He was trying to say goodbye.

"Not without you," I countered, determined, but he simply shook his head.

"How touching," said Ben, oozing with sarcasm as he sidled up next to me and gazed at Sam. "Ava and I have just been having a little heart to heart and we have concluded that it's time for you to come clean." Sam's eyes flickered and I frowned as the black in them rippled.

Ben stepped in front of him. "Give me your hand, Ava, dear."

I shook my head, slowly, with purpose. "No," I said quietly, "I don't need the truth." If Sam didn't want me to know, then I didn't need to know. He'd protected me so far.

"Give me your hand, or I will slice it off and command it myself." Swallowing nervously, I hesitantly offered Ben my unhurt hand. In an instant, he jerked it forward to make contact with Sam's hourglass mark. My ears filled with the sound of Sam's screams and I heard Ben's voice as if from the end of a tunnel.

"Think of your mother, Ava." I did. It wasn't hard.

As Sam's shrieks filled my head, the fire burned in my arm, only for a second this time, and I found myself transported to the inside of a car. It felt familiar, but it didn't smell like my car, or look like it for that matter. The seats were navy and rough on my legs as I shifted uncomfortably, the smell of fresh cotton air freshener flooded my senses. I was in my mum's car. As I looked down, I found that I was driving, my hands clasped on the wheel. I was driving—not Mum. Her voice echoed in my ear.

"You looked lovely in that dress today, Ava, sweetheart." My eyes whipped around to glance at her. Her dark hair curled behind her ears where she was wearing her usual pearl earrings. Her hazel eyes glowed as she smiled at me, and I felt my mouth twitch into a smile. "We'll have to get you some shoes to match."

My glance revolved back round to the road. The motorway was relatively clear, and I was enjoying the feel of driving Mum's new car. It was so smooth compared to any of the cars I'd driven in lessons. I heard my own voice in the car.