Emily, already off-balance, reeled backward. My heart stopped. Too far to catch her. Everything happened in an instant. THUD. A sickening, bone-jarring crunch. Her lower back slammed squarely into the sharp corner of the heavy oak dresser. Her body jerked violently. A choked, inhuman gasp escaped her. Eyes flew wide, pupils dilating. Like a puppet with severed strings, she slid wordlessly down the dresser, collapsing onto the rug.
Collapse
Curled into herself, head lolled, eyes half-open. Motionless. Utter silence gripped the room. Time froze. Two seconds. Ryan's fury vanished, replaced by blank shock. My mind roared. I lunged. "EMILY!" I collapsed beside her, hands trembling, unsure how to help. My eyes locked below her. A stark, rapidly spreading ominous crimson stain bloomed across the pale grey rug beneath her. It was thick, warm, reeking of iron. Like a monstrous hand clutching my heart.
The Stain
My mind emptied. Blood? How? Internal injury? Fear drenched me in ice. "Emily! Stay with me! Look at me!" I babbled uselessly. My hands shook violently, hovering over the source, lost. Ryan recoiled, ghostly pale, lips trembling. "I... barely touched her... just pushed her away..." Then, Emily stirred slightly from the agony. Curled tight, hands clawing at her lower abdomen, nails digging into her pajamas. Broken, agonized moans escaped her. Tears and sweat streamed down her face.
NEXT >> 
