Page 75 of Downfall

No. No, no, no.

Ripping off my jacket, I press it to her belly. It’s hard to tell where the blood is coming from, so I apply pressure in the middle. She lets out a small groan.

“Skylar.” Her eyes start to close. “Baby, look at me,” I plead.

Her eyes flutter again, but they’re heavy, as if she’s using every bit of strength to keep them open.

“An ambulance is on the way, but you have to stay with me, baby. You have to keep those pretty eyes open. Can you do that for me?”

She nods, but they close again.

“I’m tired, Declan,” she croaks. “I’m so tired.”

“I know you are, baby. I know, but you have to stay awake just a little bit longer.”

“Declan?” My name on her pale lips is a question, as if she forgot the last five minutes.

“I’m here, Sky. You’re okay.”

She moves her head to my shoulder, snuggling against it. “You’re so warm.”

I don’t know what to do. The ambulance should be here any minute. I know enough not to try to move her. It might cause more bleeding. All I can do is stay with my hand pressed firmly against the jacket, her head on my shoulder, and wait.

“Dec?” she says softly.

“Yeah, baby. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Ashton…” Her voice is labored. “Wasn’t my first kiss.”

“It’s okay, baby. You don’t have to⁠—”

“No, I want you to know. I-I kissed you when you were asleep. The day we met. I know I sh-shouldn’t have.”

My heart sinks. “Skylar, don’t—” She’s shivering now, so I lean in closer, hoping she can absorb my body heat.

“But I did it, anyway. I k-kissed you and it was the b-best first kiss. You want to know why?”

“Baby, don’t…” I beg.

“Because I love you, Dec. Always have. Always will.”

No. She’s not trying to make conversation to pass the time. She’s saying goodbye. Fuck that.

“Skylar, listen to me. You don’t get to say that to me right now. The ambulance is almost here. Hang the fuck on. Do you hear me?”

I mean for it to come out as a demand, but it’s more of a plea. Something hot falls against my cheek and it takes me a second to realize I’m crying. How did we get here? How did she go from healing all our old wounds, sleeping soundly against my chest, to fighting for her life?

“It’s okay, Declan.” Her soft voice is a caress and a stab to my heart at the same time. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Fuck. She’s going into shock. Her eyes close again, and this time they don’t reopen. Sirens scream in the distance. Her body goes limp, the hand she had placed on my thigh falling open to reveal the ring I made her, still fitted snug against her finger.

“Hang on, baby. Look at me. Fucking look at me, Skylar! They’re almost here,” I roar as I brush the blood-matted hair from her eyes, but she doesn’t open them.

The sirens grow louder, and now I can see the flashing lights, blue and red splotches dancing across her lifeless body.

30

DECLAN