THE RED LINE www.overtheredline.com
Touch By Shannon Bennett
“How long will this last?” I shrugged as my hand continued to skim over his cool skin. Even without applying pressure I could feel the grooves of his ribs under my palm. “As long as I keep touching you.” “And if you stop?” “Then you go back to the way you were.” “You mean I die again.” He spat it out like he was convicting me of some nefarious plot against him. It wasn’t the first time I’d encountered that response. I suppose it was natural. I didn’t call him on it. “Can you die if you aren’t really alive?” I asked instead. “I think you just slip back into it. Like sleep.” With a ragged gasp his chest inflated, sucking in his already gaunt abdomen and forcing my hand to scramble for purchase. “Careful,” I warned. “If I lose the connection, I can’t get it back.” I felt him still beneath me.
“You mean it only works once?” His gaze was intent on my face, monitoring my response. Watching for the slightest hint of deception. I nodded. “One time deal. Keeps things in check, I guess.” “How do you know?” he demanded. “Trial and error.” “Oh.” He looked away and exhaled slowly. Careful to maintain contact, I slid my hand to his face and traced the dark rings under his impossibly large eyes. He twitched 19