But instead of running for St. Killian’s, Will veered down what looked almost like a cave.
I peered closely through the dark, seeing an alcove in the earth under a tree. Like a tunnel.
What was that?
Following him, I stopped behind him and held Winter close as she shivered uncontrollably and watched him punch in a code.
The door opened, and we slipped inside.
Will kept going, ripping off his sweatshirt and T-shirt and dropping them along the hallway, and I pulled the door closed again, taking Winter’s hand.
I looked around, taking about two seconds to figure out these were the catacombs underneath the church. I knew there was another entrance, but it looked like Michael and Rika had installed a proper door with security.
Last time I was here, it was all rock and dirt, but I quickly noticed the polished hardwood floors, the rock walls that had been repaired and spruced up, and the sconces lining the hallway on both sides, their lanterns creating a subterranean glow.
I followed Will, all of us rushing into the massive stone shower, Will going for one showerhead and me for the other.
We turned on the rainfall spouts, getting them warm and steam billowing immediately, and then I darted over to Winter, peeling off her sweatshirt as she kicked off her shoes and socks.
I fisted my hands against the cold, ripping off my hoodie and shirt, as well.
“Fuck,” I growled low, putting her under the warm water.
Will hunched over, still shivering but even worse now as the water cascaded over him.
What was wrong with him?
I shot over to him, grabbing him under the arms. “Come on, sit down.”
He tried to rise, but his legs gave out, and he fell into me, both of us crashing down. And I just couldn’t. I gave up, my strength gone.
We sat here against the wall, Will’s back against my chest and his head lying on my collarbone as the water drenched us. My jeans stuck to my skin, but the heat seeped into my bones, and I started to feel better minute by minute.
Will shook, though, his knee bobbing up and down in short spurts.
I wrapped my arms around him, trying to help. “We’re okay,” I told him. “Just breathe.”
But he groaned like he was in pain, and I squeezed his arms, trying get the blood pumping or something. Anything. But he was ice cold and not calming down.
What the hell?
“Will, are you okay?” Winter asked.
“He’s shaking,” I told her. “Come here.”
She came down on the floor, following my voice and crawling, and I took her arm, pulling her on top of him, both of us sandwiching him.
“Get him fucking warmed up,” I told both of us.
“You’re okay,” she said, straddling him and hugging his chest.
“I almost drowned,” he choked out, his breath ragged. “Again.”
“Shhh,” I soothed him, holding him, because that was all I could do.
There was nothing that would erase what I did, only to hate myself more, because I’d done it at all.
I wasn’t sure if Winter knew what he was talking about, but she just held him, not saying anything.