Chapter 73 Tentacles
644words
Ember hung lifelessly from her seatbelt, and Kayn was missing. His side of the door was wide open, and there was blood smeared on it.
Way too much blood.
"Kayn," I whimpered, my head spinning from all the blood rushing to it. My neck drew tight in spasms when I opened my mouth. Gritting my teeth, I tried again, "Kayn."
A forceful blow rammed into the side of the car, sending it skidding a few meters across the road toward a cliff looking over the ocean.
Common sense shouted, I should panic, but my addled brain and body felt too weak to react.
The car deadlocked at the edge of the cliff as if some unseen force had it in its clutches.
"Kayn," I groaned. "Where are you?"
My answer came as Kayn got flung into the middle of the road. His breathing came in hoarse pants as he remained still on the asphalt, staring up at the sky as if he'd given in to defeat. He was drenched in blood, his bruised face almost beyond recognition.
The sight of him jolted awake every nerve inside my body, and the panic I lacked finally kicked in.
There was a stretch of silence as he struggled for air. I became increasingly worried that he would pass out. Or worse, give up.
When I was sure he was done for, anger shadowed his features. His fists clenched by his sides, and his jaw tightened. I felt his fury boil inside my chest.
He didn't take too well getting his ass kicked.
A giant tentacle swooped down. Kayn dodged the blow and flung himself on top of it, pinning it to the asphalt. He lifted a fist, raining down blows that rattled the earth beneath us.
There was a glimmer of promise in the fight, where I believed he won, up until another tentacle doubled up on Kayn's blows and beat him to a point where he didn't stir.
"Kayn, move!" I screamed at him. "Don't just lie there!"
The tentacle struck him. Over and over again.
"Move your ass, damn it!"
I got no response from him. Eventually, the tentacle retracted, and I couldn't look at his still body any more.
I tore my gaze from him, suppressing the dread expanding within my chest. I focused on my best friend.
"Ember?" I attempted to lift my arm to reach for her, but my body felt too weak to work with me. I was in so much pain. "Ember?" I sobbed.
This couldn't be happening.
I had to move. I had to get her out of this car, and I had to get help. I blinked through the tears, refusing to accept that it already might be too late.
I forced a shaky hand far enough to reach for the seat belt buckle, but getting it to work with me was another feat on its own.
I repeatedly tried to push the clip out, but my hand kept slipping.
"Come. On." I bit out. It took a few more wiggles until I finally heard a click. My eyes widened as I realized too late my mistake and fell straight into the shattered glass dispersed across the ceiling of the car.
A sharp pain jolted through my body, and glass cut into my hands, knees, and legs. I remained still for a moment, hissing through the pain.
"Is that the best you got, you big, slimy bastard?" Kayn's voice chuckled.
My heart picked up its pace. He was still alive, laughing.
Ember could be dead, and he was laughing.
Hell, I thought he was dead!
"Jerk," I seethed. Please don't die.
