226 Greed (30)
I reached a corner, and after a little adjustment, I managed to twist my way into the corner. I don't think the tube has become smaller, but I am sure that the tube has become smaller. I cannot allow myself to imagine being trapped here, and I cannot allow myself to imagine that there may be no way out. If I do this, I will become useless and everyone else will be trapped behind me.
"Bethany?"
"I'm fine," even though we all knew I was lying, I reluctantly pointed my mouth at Abby.
I walked another twenty feet, when the sway from above shook the pipe. A creaking moan echoed through the entire system. I was stunned, and suddenly heard a low whimper. If there is enough space in the pipe, I might curl up and scream like a baby.
"Hurry up, Beth, hurry up."
Cade needless to say the second time. I suddenly wanted to be free from this world full of endless torture and madness. I am no longer totally opposed to death as an option, even if it means escaping from this complicated channel. I will either find the end of this tunnel or die in it, I don't care who comes first.
I use my elbows and feet, squirming my way like an earthworm at a faster speed. The beam shè back on the wall, flashing on the slime and silt, these things have been there for longer than I have been alive. The smell of garbage is unpleasant, as is the forgotten mix of hair, dead skin, waste, and slimy. It envelops me, penetrates everything in my lips, and slips into my nose.
I wanted to vomit, but then I had to crawl over. Although, at this point, it may be cleaner than the mess I have struggled through.
The pipe bends sharply. I peeped at it with light. There was slush everywhere on the Internet, twisting and glowing dimly below fifteen feet. Where is this damn thing, can we go through it
"Bethany?" Abby asked.
"It's falling again," I told Jǐng in a choked voice that was almost unrecognizable, and I was very ashamed of it.
I pulled myself into nothingness.
A light appeared at the end of the tunnel. I had to turn off the flashlight to check, but it was there, a bright lighthouse illuminating the darkness that shrouded me. Hope is surging in my heart, and I continue to move forward at a faster speed. Tears poured into my eyes and blocked my throat.
I don't care what the end of the tunnel is, or whether it is poured into untreated sewage or a lair occupied by aliens. I don't care that I will be caught and eaten as soon as I break free. I just want to escape this narrow space and breathe fresh air again. I heard Abby's gasp because I made it to the end and casually plunged into the pipeline.
It was deeper than I expected; I mumbled loudly and hit the muddy wet ground. The pain pierced my bruised tailbone and elbow. The air was drawn forcefully from my body, and then fortunately rushed in. When I pulled myself out of the pipe outlet, I grabbed the wet ground with my claws. I blinked, against the dazzling glare during the day, which burned my eyes.
Although my underside is wet, I am not in the puddle. I can't see yet, but I can feel the open space and can no longer feel the surrounding walls. Grasping my arms with both hands, I blinked, trying to remove the tears that blurred my vision. I realized that the sun was not the reason I couldn't see it, but the tears streaming down my face and clogging my eyes. "Are you okay?" Cade asked.
I tried to convince him that I was dizzy, but it was all right. There was only a moan, as if a whimper was ripped from me. I was shocked, heartbroken, and almost completely broken. I managed to stay calm in the horrible pipeline, but it was too much. I can feel a shattering thing forming in my body, and I am afraid it will ruin me.
Cade took me in his arms and leaned me against him. He buried my head in his neck and used his body to cover up my tears. I hugged him tightly, as if all the suppressed fear, and everything that happened, had already boiled over.
"Bethany, please be quiet. You have come out now, you have succeeded. You are ZìYóu, everything is over, you did a good job. You did a good job," Cade whispered into my ear. His hands were wrapped in my horrible hair, holding me tighter.
When I tried to get close to him, I scratched his skin and clothes, even though it was almost impossible. It is impossible, but I must do this, I need more. I need him, all of him. The feeling of absolute certainty shook my soul. When I held him, I was almost torn in half, completely forgetting anyone but the two of us. In this warm sanctuary world that Cade strongly embraces, no one else exists. I didn't realize that my sobbing had subsided until I felt his hand touching my hair, soothing me when I started to tremble. This time it was not because of fear or relief, but because of the pure surprise brought by his gentle touch.
I don't care if we are covered in mud and smelly. I don't even care that there are two other people watching us. I don't want to let go. I can hear him answer me with excitement beating in his heart, his rough breathing.
"Bethany," he whispered, his lips pressed to my ears, his hands stroking my hair. "My brave Bethany."
I didn't feel so brave today. I feel like a coward, exhausted and almost beaten. If it weren't for his subtle power and unwavering confidence in me, I'm not sure I can get this far. I am not sure if I am worthy of his trust, especially after I have just experienced a breakdown. Jenna may complain about everything, but at least she can stay calm. I broke down faster than a yo-yo. If there are aliens in this area, I can kill us directly because I don't like small spaces.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
He didn't tell me it was okay, he didn't say anything, he just kissed me lightly on my temple. He may force Jenna to smoke a pipe. He may even abandon her but I know he will not force me. He will never leave me. He will do everything possible to protect my safety, even if that means his death. When I realized this, I almost cried again, but this time I tried to control my tears. What made me fall into this surprising, terrifying, and confusing situation
Just a few days ago, life was not perfect, but it was calm. I have a family and a mother. I know my brothers and sisters are safe and I will see them again. I have a very nice and lovely boyfriend. I have always been convinced that if time goes by enough, one day I will fall in love with him, because who doesn't love Brett? The other girls in the school like him, except me.
I began to understand why I never fell in love with Brad. Even if I don't know, if it weren't for what happened today, I might never realize it, but I understand now. Since those fishing and playing, since being in the garden that night, Cade has my heart, and will always have it.
What I don't know is why he chose me, he chose me. Years ago. I am sure of this. Before his parents were killed, before my father died, he chose me. I recalled the first time Aiden took him home. He was six years old, young, introverted, and new. I was only five years old at that time.
Even at such a young age, there is a strange wisdom in his agate eyes. A kind of wisdom pierced me and fascinated me. He looked at me in a way that no one had studied before, beautiful and puzzling. His eyes were mixed, unbelievable, and there was a strange longing, which I didn't understand at the time. I get it now. As I understand, he will always be a part of me. From that moment on, he was like this.
I may have forgotten the early rizi after my father died, and the rizi that Cade deliberately avoided in the following years, but I strongly remembered the little boy now and the unexpected bondage Our contact. My heart is heavy with memories, and love surges in my heart. I can see this little boy perfectly. He stood at our door for the first time. His face was dull with surprise, his eyes were wide open, and he looked at me.
Then, slowly, he smiled at me. His eye-catching, rare smile warmed the black ice he was staring at and made me smile with enthusiasm. He was once a friend of Aiden, but he is more important to me. For the next two years, we were together almost every day. He was everything to me at that time, even though I was too young to understand the relationship between the two, and I couldn't realize that I loved him helplessly, but I knew I had fallen in love with him now. It still does.
But in a terrible night, everything changed. I want to know what it would be like between us if his parents were not killed. What would our lives be like if we were not separated by terrible opportunities. I know he and Bright will never have anything to do with each other. Although I care about Bright, Cade and I will be there all this time. There will be no more people. Fate is not like this. Although we are separated, I know that we will not be separated anymore. It is not voluntary anyway.
He pulled back from me. His hand stroked my face, and two thumbs rubbed my cheeks. I know I must be dirty, he is dirty, we are all dirty, but he doesn't care, and I don't care. My heart was beating, rushing straight down, and then flying high again. I can't help feeling a sigh of joy and awe. I approached him, tasting the heat in his mouth, and when his tongue quivered on mine, my body was full of joy. My fingers curled up on his back, my toes curled up in my worn sneakers, and his hands held the back of my head tightly. (To be continued) (End of this chapter)