Chapter 82

CILLIAN

White light blended and molded into various colors behind my closed eyes. I felt weightless and free. When I was a child, I always wanted to be an astronaut. Being able to go out into the vastness of space and see into the heavens had seemed like a thrilling idea. The reality was much harsher than I’d expected and far more terrifying.

Every muscle in my body ached as my limbs twitched uncontrollably. Only one consistent thought fluttered through my head as my body shifted from weightlessness to extreme gravity. Ciara. She was the cord tethering me to the earth, keeping me bolted and anchored to the world around me.

I struggled against my heavy eyelids and peered through the fuzzy, bright light. In the distance, I heard Ciara’s voice calling to me. It was muffled and strained, but I knew she was right beside me, even if we were worlds apart.

“Ciara,” I called to her. Her name tasted like hot cakes fresh off the griddle and melted on my tongue like honey. A weary smile tugge