Page 2 of Blaze

Chapter2

Victoria

I swear I hear voices, but there’s also a solid chance I’m hallucinating.I’m not even certain I’m awake as I blink my eyes open and stare up at the sky.It’s so blue.Isn’t it bluer than usual?Was it always this blue?Again, I’m probably hallucinating.

The sun is up.It’s bright out.It’s probably mid-morning.How long was I asleep?Groaning, I toss a hand over my eyes to block the piercingly bright rays.I’m going to get burned if I lie here much longer.

That thought makes me almost laugh.If I had the energy, maybe I would cackle.Getting a sunburn would be the least of my problems.If someone doesn’t find me today, I’ll die in this ravine.

How long will it take for them to find my body?Years, most likely.I’ll just be a pile of bones eventually.Though animals will probably eat my carcass and carry my bones away, scattering them all over the desert floor.

I shudder at the morbid thought, but it’s probably accurate.I lift my head, wincing as I stare at my injured leg.It doesn’t hurt very badly anymore, but I might be in shock.

Again, I hear voices.This time, I’m more confident they’re real.Jerking my head around, I try to see anything at all.

Yell.What the fuck are you doing?Scream!

“Hello?”My voice comes out too weak.I clear my throat and try again.“Hello?Is anyone up there?”I think I’m louder this time.“Hello?I’m down here.Hello?”

The voices grow stronger.They’re getting close.

“Help!”I shout as loud as I can.“I need help!”

Suddenly, I see a figure above me.Movement.And then, “Is someone down there?”A man’s head comes into view.

“Yes!Please, can you help me?”I push with all my strength to try to sit up, but I don’t have the energy.All I can do is wave my hands, hoping they will see me.

“Fuck.Reagan.There’s a woman in this ravine.”

“Seriously?”Another head comes into view.A woman.Thank goodness.

I almost giggle.I’m so fucking relieved.I may hate my life, but I don’t want to die alone in the desert.“Please…” My voice has no oomph behind it.It’s like I used all my energy crying out for help, and now I have nothing left.

Breathing heavily, I set the back of my arm over my eyes again.After that minimal exertion, I’m close to passing out.I’m overheated and so thirsty.In the end, dehydration would have killed me before the heat did.

But there are more voices now.Several of them.I’m not going to die here.

“Ma’am?”

“Yes?”I’m confident I say that out loud, but it’s so soft I doubt anyone above me can hear.

A male voice shouts, “Hang tight.I’m coming down.It’s going to take me a few minutes.I need to find a better place to descend where it’s not so steep.”

“Okay.”Again, I doubt he hears me.People keep talking.Women.All the voices are female now.I find myself fading in and out of consciousness.Now that my fear of dying has eased, my body is relaxing.Or maybe I’m making that up.

I don’t know how much time passes before a shadow crosses over me.A gentle hand lands on my shoulder.“I’m here.”

If I could make tears, I would.All I manage is a soft, “Thank you.”

“What’s your name?”

“Vicky,” I murmur.

“Okay, Vicky.My name is Blaze.I’m going to get you out of here.Can you look at me?”

I move my arm and blink up at him.Sheesh.I must be completely delusional because I’m pretty sure he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.That’s ridiculous.

He stares into my eyes for long seconds, slowly smiling.“Looks like you’re trapped.Do you think anything is broken?”