Up in Smoke

by T. M. Frazier

  “Better?” I ask, my head spinning. “What’s better?”

  He lifts me from the mud into his strong tattooed arms with ease and cradles me against his hard chest. “Rest now, my love,” he whispers, carrying me back across the field, gliding over the bodies with ease without ever looking down at the ground.

  I find surprising comfort in his arms. I sigh and settle myself against his body, nuzzling against his warmth. The fear that had me frozen just moments before has vanished. I feel safe now.

  Whole.

  “I’m so tired.” I hear myself say. I yawn and close my eyes. The weariness begins to take me under.

  “Look,” he whispers, spinning me around in his arms slowly.

  I open my eyes and lift my head. I take one last look at the