ARRDE
I woke up to my face pressed against the cold, unforgiving gravel. A sharp pain flared in my ribs as I sucked in a shallow breath, my body aching from the impact of whatever had happened before I lost consciousness. The scent of dirt and dried blood clung to me, thick and suffocating.
My fingers twitched against the rough ground, and I forced myself to move, biting back a groan as I pushed up onto my elbows. My vision swam, the world tilting violently before settling into place. The air was damp, the scent of the night still lingering, but something was wrong—horribly, inexplicably wrong.
I was alone.
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut.
Alex.
Panic surged through my chest as I turned my head sharply, scanning my surroundings with frantic eyes. But there was nothing.
