Intrinsical - Lani Woodland [89]
I was tempted to waste what little air was left in my lungs on a scream, but I didn’t. Even as it felt like my insides would burst, I held on. I knew help was coming this time. Through the water I saw the lights flip on, followed by Steve and Cherie’s images flickering down to me. I smiled as the world around me went black.
****
There was light behind my eyelids and they fluttered open for a second. I was on the ground with Cherie and Steve around me. My lips lifted in a wan smile before my eyes slid closed.
When I reopened them I was standing beside Brent, watching my friends work on my body. I stretched and felt quite giddy about having put up a fight before I died.
“I feel different. Did I fix it?”
Gruffly Brent answered, “No.” He slammed his fist against one of the plastic tables making it quiver. “You still died. I was so close.” He swore angrily, then sighed deeply. “I got your messages loud and clear, though. That was smart.”
“Messages?”
“Well, your first one for general help made Steve stop for a second and wonder what was going on. That got him coming toward the pool, worried about you. But the second time, when you called directly to me, I woke up and took charge. I knew exactly what to do. It was weird because I had all of Steve’s knowledge, but I was in control. It was genius.”
“It almost worked. Maybe another night?” I offered with an encouraging grin. I examined myself lying on the ground and saw my dress had been torn to shreds.
“I had to cut you free. It was caught on the drain this time,” Brent explained, watching the CPR. “Steve carried a pocket knife and I made sure he had it ready before we even came into the room.”
“I figured you would have to cut it. Too bad I was wearing this impractical dress.”
Brent eyed me up and down. “Still, it does look nice on you.”
I pretended to ignore the compliment, while secretly relishing it. Fighting the urge to preen, I changed the subject abruptly. “When I was my empty shell, the necklace woke me up a tiny bit and then I was able to smell Cherie’s perfume. It almost saved me.”
A smile formed at my lips as I sent Cherie a silent thank you.
Brent sat on a pool chair and dropped his head. “If only we had been a minute earlier. If only Steve could have run faster. I . . . he could have saved you.”
“I don’t think you were supposed to. I think . . . I was meant to die.” I was grappling to find the words to explain to Brent the peace I had already made with death.
“You didn’t die; you were murdered.”
“True.” That fact still chilled me to my very soul. I found myself still trembling slightly at the thought that someone had killed me. “I think I changed it enough to set it right. Maybe I created some sort of physical evidence so they can catch the jerk. And bring him to justice. Perhaps it was meant to be this way.”
I sat down next to Brent as understanding flooded through me, understanding I had refused to see before. “I do think I was meant to die. I think . . .” I blushed as I struggled to find the words. “I was meant to save you. This proves things can change. It’s too late for me, but we can still get your body back.” Brent looked uncertain but I knew I was right. “That’s what all of this is about— stopping the curse and returning you to your body.”
Did I want to die? No, but if my death saved Brent, then it meant something. Brent was such a good guy and still had so much to offer the world.
“So, you’re proposing that it was the universe’s design that you die so I can live?”
“Yes, and break the curse,” I said, wrapping my finger around one of the shredded ends of my dress.
“Well, screw the universe.” Brent started out of his chair and leaned against the round table he had punched earlier, his back toward me.
Gathering my courage, I went to Brent and placed my hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Brent. I’m not sad. I never really understood how people could be willing to die to save someone they love, but I get that now.”