Ah yes, back into the swing of things...well, I'm writing again, anyway. Working on Surviving Bella Chapter Eight - it's going to be a rough one! It should post on Saturday on FFN, and on Twilighted whenever it is validated. Teaser below!
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I lay down on my back, staring up at the dark canopy of the raft. I figured she might have as many as six hours left, but not much more than that. I was starting to shake and itch again, and I seriously doubted I would have the strength or muscle control to pull myself back onto the raft another time, so no more fishing. I wouldn’t be far behind her – a half day, maybe. A half day lying here with her body. I didn’t think I’d be able to just toss her overboard, not unless I went with her.
“Edward?” I heard her soft voice struggle to get enough volume to reach my ears. I leaned a little closer and saw her hollow eyes looking deep into mine. “Edward, I’m scared.”
I reached around her torso with one arm, and slipped the other one under her shoulders so I could pull her close to me. I held her head against my chest and wrapped my arms around her tiny, gaunt frame.
“Don’t be scared, Bella.” I closed my eyes and hugged her to me. My eyes squeezed shut and my lips pressed into her hair. “I’ve got you.”
I could feel her body slump into mine, and I had to listen close to her breathing to make sure it remained steady as she drifted off to sleep. I tried to take a deep breath myself, feeling the dark unconsciousness of deprivation overcoming my mind and body.
“I’ve got you,” I repeated, wondering if she still believed I could save her.
***
***
I lay down on my back, staring up at the dark canopy of the raft. I figured she might have as many as six hours left, but not much more than that. I was starting to shake and itch again, and I seriously doubted I would have the strength or muscle control to pull myself back onto the raft another time, so no more fishing. I wouldn’t be far behind her – a half day, maybe. A half day lying here with her body. I didn’t think I’d be able to just toss her overboard, not unless I went with her.
“Edward?” I heard her soft voice struggle to get enough volume to reach my ears. I leaned a little closer and saw her hollow eyes looking deep into mine. “Edward, I’m scared.”
I reached around her torso with one arm, and slipped the other one under her shoulders so I could pull her close to me. I held her head against my chest and wrapped my arms around her tiny, gaunt frame.
“Don’t be scared, Bella.” I closed my eyes and hugged her to me. My eyes squeezed shut and my lips pressed into her hair. “I’ve got you.”
I could feel her body slump into mine, and I had to listen close to her breathing to make sure it remained steady as she drifted off to sleep. I tried to take a deep breath myself, feeling the dark unconsciousness of deprivation overcoming my mind and body.
“I’ve got you,” I repeated, wondering if she still believed I could save her.
***
