Estella sprinted to the well, her heart thundering in her chest, until she reached the edge of the old well.
Her breath caught in her throat because she saw him—Crassus, his body slumped and unmoving, lying at the bottom. Her breath hitched.The moonlight glimmered across the surface, the well was very deep.It was so deep that she couldn't simply reach in and pull Crassus out, or jump in and leap out.
"Crassus!" she screamed, voice shrill with panic. No response.
She leaned over the edge, gripping the stones. "Crassus, can you hear me?!" Again, silence. He was unconscious.
Frantic, she looked around. Maybe there was a rope, a vine—anything. Her eyes darted over the surrounding grass and trees. Nothing. Not even a branch long enough. She clenched her fists. Her heart pounded louder than before. Time was slipping through her fingers.
