Pierce
“Noah?” I blink, trying to make this reality stick—the one where Thea is safe, where my life and hers no longer hang in the balance.
“Let me take her. Your leg needs attention.”
“I’m fine.”
“I know, but your grandpa wants to make sure.”
I blink, coming out of my stupor. I was shot. Thea was dosed with an unstable drug. We both need help, and we can’t get it out here.
I reluctantly release her to him, my arms aching from the lack of her.
He takes her and hurries toward the ambulance. I fall behind, my leg slowing me down, but mostly my mind. I was so afraid.
I stare ahead at the two ambulances swimming in my vision. I reach for a tree to steady myself; it’s too far away. The world tilts, and I wait to crash, but I don’t go down.
Hands hold up my broken body. I look at the face that's both older and exactly how I remember it.
“I’ve got you, son.”
I’ve got you. That’s all I ever needed to hear.
I want to say something, to thank him for helping me find Thea, but my throat is raw and dry. I can’t form the words.
He pats my arm, understanding what I want to say as he helps me onward.
We reach the ambulance where Noah has already laid Thea on the waiting stretcher. I mutter something to the paramedics about what she was dosed with as they try to get me on another stretcher, but my words don’t make sense even to myself. I clear my throat and try one last time.
“I’ll ride with her.” My tone must be gruff enough they don’t dare argue as I climb into the ambulance with Thea.
They get in, and the doors slam shut.
I barely notice as an EMT inspects my leg while another one inspects Thea.
It might be the blood loss or the trauma—Thea would know—but I can’t let go of my only hope.
The ride is agonizingly long as I beg them to do more for her. What if she doesn’t wake up? I can’t live without her.
I don’t want to.
“I’ll never leave you,” I whisper, cradling her hand in mine. “Just be okay.”
Eventually the rough terrain becomes smooth road. I hope beyond hope that we are close.
The ambulance comes to a stop and the doors fly open. A breeze rushes in, fluttering her eyelashes, and her bright blue eyes meet mine.
“Thea…” I choke.
Her freckled nose wrinkles as she takes me in. “Who are you?”