The remains

Chapter 73

For a time that seemed forever, we ran in a downhill direction toward the fields of tall grass. There was no talking. Not that Franny would have said anything anyway. But there was simply no breath left in our lungs. In my lungs anyway.

On the outside was the vision of the fields and my parents’ house looking small and isolated in the distance. But on the inside my heart beat, pulse soared, blood pumped through wiry veins while the misty cool air of a new morning burned up lung tissue.

We didn’t head for my parents’ house. Instead I followed Franny through the fields, limping up a gentle incline until eventually I spotted the Scaramuzzi farm. By this time, the day was warming and I was having trouble breathing and keeping my balance. Then as though a car crashed into me, my chest constricted, the center cramped in tight pain, a shooting jolt of lightening in my left arm.

When I collapsed, Franny stopped.

He came to me, bent down and lifted me up in his arms. He carried me like that all the rest of the way.

When finally we made it to his house, he set me gently down onto the porch.

Although I couldn’t really see her, I heard Caroline Scaramuzzi gasp. She wasted no time dialing 911. I was in and out of consciousness as she spoke with the emergency people, as I mumbled the words “Michael… inside house… in woods… Michael.”

I wasn’t scared. I was no longer in pain. I was caught up in a semi-conscious state I’d never before experienced. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was dying. Dying wasn’t so bad. Dying meant that I would see Molly before the day was out. As the life began to seep out of my earthly body, I knew without a doubt that I wouldn’t die. Not really.

Before long, I was flying.