It was too powerful. The chain wrapped around her waist attracted her by the bottom of the hole. She was sweltering, because of the intense sun, because of the fear. Fear, yes, she was about falling into a dark hole. What was there at the end of this abyss?
She was weaker seconds by seconds. Her fingers, she didn't know how, were holding on the edge of the dark hole.
"Kate!"
Her heart hardened. She opened her eyes and looked up. She met his gaze. His afraid gaze.
"Hold on."
"I… can't…" She whispered briefly as if it was too much effort. She didn't have any strength anymore.
"I said hold on! Do not dare letting go, Kate."
He grabbed her arm and tried to pull her up.
"C'mon Kate."
She took a deep breath as deep as she could and tried to not resist.
"Sawyer…"
It was more a breath than a word. He was holding her tightly. She winced, as the chain got tighter too, around her waist.
* * *
He could feel the tears coming up. No. No. It couldn't happen. He had already lost her once, it couldn't happen twice. He wouldn't let it happen.
"Hold on, please, hold on." He repeated like a pray. He never believed in God, but if he had to, to save Kate, he would. And that, until his own death.
"Kate, c'mon, you've to help me to get you out of here."
"It's… I can't…"
She screamed, as the chain got tighter and pulled her down a little more. Sawyer shivered, feeling the pain in her voice, feeling her arm slid more and more.
"Don't dare to go again."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You just have to get out of here!"
She was crying. By fear and pain he presumed.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
"Don't care what you have to say. Help me! Don't let go Kate! Do not go!"
Her arm slid again. He was just holding her hand now. Her fingers took off the edge.
"I love you."
"Damn it." He swore to himself and grabbed her arm once again trying to pull her up.
"Sawyer, you cannot save me."
"Shut up."
"Sawyer. It hurts."
"I said shut up."
"James…"
He looked at her, and he saw in her eyes she had already let it down. He was praying, praying so much it was hurting everywhere: his heart, his head, his hands.
* * *
"I love you. I've always had." She repeated, bursting into tears. She had too much pain. A part f her wanted to let down and fall, another part wanted to hold on and have a few time more with him. She had no choice, yet. The power was too intense. He couldn't help her. Even strong like he was, he couldn't pull her off of this hole. He couldn't.
"Would you do something for me, Sawyer?"
He shook his head. "Right after you out of here."
"No. Please. No time, Sawyer."
She couldn't make sentences anymore. She was too weak.
"Okay." He breathed.
"Tell me goodbye this time."
He shook his head, his eyes were full of tears. She could guess he saw everything blurry, she knew because she could barely recognize his face.
"You can't ask me that."
"Tell me."
"I can't Kate. I don't want you to go. I'm so sorry. Please don't leave me. Not this way."
Her arm slid. He grabbed her hand. The chain squeezed more.
"Kate..."
"Let me go, Sawyer."
A tear rolled down over his cheek.
"See you in another life, Freckles."
She closed her eyes and her hand slid from his grasp.