Page 151 of Igniting Lies

“They’re on their way,” Collin tells me from the open door, the phone still to his ear.“Is he… breathing?”

“I… I don’t know.”It never occurred to me to check.Too focused on stopping the bleeding.

Collin leans over the top of him, his body filling the cab above us.

I’dknowif he wasn’t.I’dfeelit.And as hard as my heart’s beating, it isn’t shattered.

Sirens are faint.But they’re getting closer.

Collin crawls out of the cab and runs to the road, waving his hands—

“Stay with me,” I beg Jonathan.“Please.Stay with me.”

My hand presses harder against his side, slick with blood.

I wait for him to move.To not leave me behind.

But I’ve never felt more alone.