Elizabeth’s absence was everywhere, suffocating him. Her pale face and her body, smeared in blood, swam in his vision, and he refused to believe it, refused to believe she was gone. She couldn’t be, since she was the only reason he was living.He found himself gently shaking her shoulders again, kissing her on the cold mouth, willing her lips to return the kiss. He couldn’t breathe, the night sky and trees and everything in existence falling down on him, all at once. Arne pulled him away from her when Henry began giving her chest compressions, since Doctor Ortiz hadn’t. “I have to,” he argued with Arne. Henry shoved him away, too easily, and didn’t look to make sure he’d landed safely, for he was back at Elizabeth’s side, giving her mouth to mouth then pumping her chest again.“Henry!” Arne snapped. “She’s gone!”Henry shoved him away a second time. Again, he gave her chest compressions. Her blood painted his hands up to his wrists, coagulating in his arm hair.
