He Thought I Was Faking My Death, But I Was Really Gone Chapter 02

He Thought I Was Faking My Death, But I Was Really Gone Chapter 02

The desert heat baked the earth at a hundred and twenty degrees.

The engine of the off-road truck faded slowly into the distance.

But I could still hear everything from inside the cab.

“Wow, this AC is amazing.”

“Derek, I’m actually a little cold.”

The rustle of fabric.

Derek’s voice, gentle as silk.

“Here, put my jacket on. Don’t want you catching a chill.”

“Have some of this cold drink, cool yourself down. Slow sips, don’t choke.”

Out here, the sun was cooking me alive.

My so-called best friend was sipping something cold, basking in my boyfriend’s attention.

The fury gave me strength. I used every last bit of it to drag myself toward my pack.

Meanwhile, Paige’s voice kept coming through.

“Derek, Nora’s out there all alone… she’ll really be okay, right?”

“The sun’s brutal today. She doesn’t even have a sip of electrolyte water.”

Derek gave a light laugh, completely unconcerned.

“What could happen to her?”

“She’s still got half a bottle of water in her pack, and she practically lives at the gym. Her body can handle way more than yours.”

“She’s probably hiding behind some dune in the shade right now, waiting for me to come crawling back and beg her forgiveness.”

“I’m not giving in to that nasty habit of hers.”

The others, trudging along on foot below, chimed in.

“Paige, don’t waste your energy worrying about that drama queen.”

“She’s just jealous Derek treats you so well. She’s doing this on purpose to cause trouble.”

“Once she’s hungry and thirsty enough, she’ll come crawling back with her tail between her legs.”

I finally reached my pack.

With the last of my strength, I pressed the walkie-talkie’s talk button.

“Help…”

The chatter on the other end went dead silent.

A full ten seconds passed.

Then Derek’s voice came through, ice-cold.

“Nora, your little attention-seeking stunts are getting more pathetic by the minute.”

“This is Falcon Ridge’s emergency channel, it’s not a toy for you to play jealous games with!”

Paige spoke up quietly, as if trying to calm him.

“Derek, she really does sound like she’s in trouble. Maybe we should have the rescue truck turn back?”

Derek gave a contemptuous scoff.

“Turn back for what?”

“Your blister’s about to pop. Every extra minute out here is an infection risk for you.”

“She’s got a first-aid certification and she doesn’t even know that much?”

“Nora, listen to yourself! Paige is genuinely hurt, and you’re still throwing a fit over your jealousy!”

“Key this channel one more time and I swear I’ll kick you out of the group myself!”

With that, a beep, and he cut me off the channel entirely.

My last chance at survival was gone.

The System’s voice rang out again.

[Countdown complete.]

[Host’s vital signs have flatlined.]

[Soul detachment protocol initiated.]

[Detecting incomplete emotional severance in host. Bystander perspective enabled.]