Chapter 32

“Ellie!”

I blink and look around. The ground under me is a green-ish black colour, the air around me swirling with green and dark grey.

“Ellie! I know you can hear me!”

Who’s calling me?

I don’t know, and I’m not taking any chances.

The sponge-y moss envelops my hand and caresses my fingers as I lower myself down onto it. Under my weight, it dips like a hammock.

I think I could stay here for a while.

The person continues to call my name, but I tune them out.

I don’t have to leave. I don’t want to leave.

This place is quiet. I don’t need to think. I’m not in pain anymore. Breathing comes easy.

I think I’ll stay here forever.

“There you are!”

A vague shape stands over me. Masculine? Probably. “Come on, we need to go.”

I roll to the side just as he’s about to grab hold of me.

“Come on,” he says. “You can’t stay here, you’re mortal.”

Okay?

What does that have to do with anything?