Fifty three

"No!" April gasped as she rushed into the murky river and searched blindly for the body of Blake. Was this what Gabrielle had meant when she said she could have him back? Why had she shot him... Just why, especially after keeping him alive for so long?

"Blake! Blake, where the hell are you? Blake!" April screamed, crying as she searched blindly, the water tossing her from every corner until her eye caught a movement just ahead of her. April squinted, blinking the murky water from her vision and she saw him floating, red blood circling his midsection. Was he alive? Please let him be alive.

April pushed at the water, gasping in frustration when it seemed as if she was moving in slow motion. Kicking through the murk, she finally reached him, and heaving a sigh of relief she wrapped her arms around him, and dragged him ashore, her chest heaving once they were in the safety of the dry land.

Catching her breath, April let go of him and quickly pressed her finger to his wrist, then his nec