They struck at the same time. Allie let out a sharp gasp that ruffled the hair by Liana's face as the knife twisted and stabbed her heart. Liana inhaled deeply as her own knife pierced right below her collarbone. They stared at each other for a moment, eyes wide with shock. The pain was surprisingly dull, as if Liana wasn't even in her body anymore. Still, she felt the warmth of her blood soaking her shirt. Allie bit her lip as Liana pulled her closer, pushing the knife in, her hands stained red.
"It didn't have to be like this," Liana rasped, turning her head so she could see Allie. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes as she saw the regret painted across her face.
"I'm not ready to die," Allie whispered into her, and Liana choked out a sob.
As Allie fell slack in her arms, her blue- stained knife clattering to the floor, Liana closed her eyes and murmured, "I forgive you."
Allie gave the slightest nod before drawing her last breath.
When she crumpled, Liana fell as well.
Pain blurred her vision and voices buzzed like a nest of hornets inside her head, but all Liana could make out was the thump of her stubborn heart letting her know she was still alive. Allie's hand was clammy and limp in hers.
What have I done?
Tears trickled down her cheeks and onto the cold floor. Allie was barely sixteen. And Liana had ruined her life in the snap of a finger. She had let Allie's mind become fogged by SEAM's lies, and not tried to save her once. She had promised herself she would kill no one else.
Liana had broken that promise in a matter of days.
Stay awake. You're going to be okay. Cassie's here. Jerik's voice filled her head, begging her to come back. But she didn't want to face what she had done.
Liana. You are stronger than this. If you won't come back for your people... Jerik trailed off, and Liana sighed as the silence set in.
Come back for me.
The voice echoed through her skull, but it didn't belong to Jerik.
Taylor, she whispered.
Slowly, as if a sharp movement would shatter whatever will she had left, she opened her eyes.
YOU ARE READING
𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧
Fantasy"What the hell are you-" Taylor's angry bark was cut off by a loud gunshot. His face went deathly pale, and Liana's heart slammed against her ribcage. It took all her willpower not to bolt. The deer crumpled on its side, red blossoming from its nec...
