No!
I slap it away, but more and more keeps coming.
I swim harder, even though Mack is deadweight in my arms, and blood trails us like shark bait.
Three seconds . . .
Two . . .
I reach my hand out.
The electrical ring is barely at my fingertips, just one centimeter more. I’m stretching every muscle in my arm to get there. I’m straining every fiber in my body against the water.
And then, just as I’m about to make contact, it sparks out. Like an old-timey television.
Zzzt.
I drop my arm. I almost lose Mack as well.
No. This can’t be.
No. This wasn’t how it was all supposed to end.
I’ve missed it.
I’ve missed the portal.
At least I won’t die a fucking coward. At least I’ll die with the only person I’ve ever truly loved.
But it looks like I am going to die. We both are.
And then everything explodes into black.
Chapter 34
“Hey! We need a medical unit! We’ve got two hoppers here. Looks like one’s in pretty bad shape.”
“Yeah, well, what’s new?”
My eyes flutter between consciousness. My brain perceives the words, but they’re quiet and far away. I try to move, but a hand touches my shoulder.
Wherever I am, I’m not in the water anymore.
“Mack . . .” My voice is hoarse, raspy, painful.
A voice responds, but it’s not his. “Don’t try to talk. Someone get the doctor, please!”
My consciousness wavers, and the heavy, dull wave of sleep pushes me back into the ether.
***
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The beeping sound registers first, and then, with a start, my eyes pop open, and I sit straight up.
“Holyshitwemissedtheportal!” The words come out like a garbled yell.
Around me is all steel and white plastic. Sterile. Cold. But clean.
“Well, good to see you’re up. Your friend is still working on coming back to us.”
The voice comes from behind a cracked door, and then the door opens wide.
“My friend?” I ask.
Frantically, I look around to get my bearings on my surroundings.
But my mouth drops when everything registers. We’re in a room similar to that of a hospital room. Except the walls are glass, and on the outside is water as far as the eye can see. But not just water. Greenery too. Plants and flowers are growing everywhere.
Just like in Mack’s dome.
What is this place?
“Yes, we kept him in the same room as you. Figure you two had a tough journey getting here. I know those portal hops can be . . . harrowing for some. Of course, it depends on where you’re coming from.”
The person before me has a woman’s voice, but she’s . . .
A fish. Well, not a fish fish but a fish-like person, just like Mack. She’s tall and lean, and her eyes are a sharp green. Her scales run up and down her body in a shimmery deep slate.
