The Lightkeepers

24

“ Ellie! No, no, no, no, no, c ’ mon, Ellie. ELLIE! ” I choked, tears flowing freely down my

cheeks.

She crumpled to her knees, doubling over. Her body twitched. Somewhere, voices shouted

and footsteps pounded closer and farther away at the same time. Her agonized shriek echoed in

my ears as I laid her down and examined the wound. I blinked. She ’ d been bitten — right near her

pulse point. Blood pooled between her fingers. I tore her hand away from it and pressed the

bedsheets to it. I never knew how deep a bite could be. Blood stained her skin, dying her hair. Her

legs twisted as she fought to fill her lungs with air. Crimson bubbled up from her mouth, coating

her lips like a slick paint. I pressed the blankets to the wound harder, trying to stop the bleeding. I

couldn ’ t think of anything else to do. Scarlet blood slicked my hands. I crouched beside her, bare

feet digging into the stiff, drying grass and dirt.

The lighthouse door banged open and shut again. Our parents came out. Ellie ’ s eyes

focused and unfocused on mine. She reached a hand towards my face.

I was pushed out of the way. I crawled to the other side and gripped the hand Ellie had

reached out to me. A tear landed on her cheek and I wiped it away before it blended with the sap

on her neck. Her grip was fading as my mother worked to save her in any way she could. Our

medical supplies were limited, too limited. She squeezed my hand, struggling to hold my gaze.

Puffs of air slipped between her parted lips as if she were trying to tell me something. The

huffs were barely audible between the deep gurgling in her throat, blood dribbling from the corners

of her mouth. Her chest heaved. Soon her breathing became shallow and her hand dropped,

bringing mine with it.

“ Ellie? ELEANOR MAY! C ’ mon, stay with me, ” I sobbed, my throat tightening. “ You

promised. You can ’ t leave me — you promised! ”

Snow began to fall. The pure white flakes melted on her skin, blessing her soul. The spunk

left her shining eyes, leaving an endless glassy stare in its place. Delicate hands shut her eyes.

Strong hands gripped around my waist and tugged, lifting me. My legs collapsed underneath me.

I shoved and pushed down on the arms that squeezed around my middle, never bringing my eyes

away from Ellie ’ s face. Despite the twisted expression of pain and sheer agony that had been there

seconds before, her face looked calm, almost serene. She ’ d always looked so peaceful when she

slept, like Sleeping Beauty.