Ashleigh took deep breaths, but it didn’t matter, her chest was too heavy, and she didn’t have the strength to lift it. Her tiny fist hit her chest, desperate to make it work properly. Her throat, shoulders, every part of her ached.
She slumped down, dropping her elbows to the soft snow below her. Her shoulders heaved with desperate sobs.
Everything felt wrong.
The sound of footsteps drew her attention. She looked up; Granger stared down at her from five feet away. Then, he took another step towards her.
“No.”
Her voice shook, but there was strength in it. Granger stopped.
“Stay away,” she said.
“Ash, I–“
“No!” she shouted.
His eyes widened in surprise.
Reaching back to the tree behind her, she pulled herself up to stand. Granger remained still, never taking his eyes off her.
“Please, Ash,” he whispered.
