Page 89 of Her Sloth

“Miss Riker,” someone says.

I ignore whoever it is.

“I will call you Cass,” says the person. “I’m Doctor Chang.”

As if any of this matters.

“Can you hear me?” she asks.

But I don’t react.

All I hear is the screaming. My own screaming.

Because I am ripped away from her.

From the burning car.

Tears overcome me, running down over my temples to my ears, where they leave me with an awful wet sensation.

But even that doesn’t matter.

Not the crying.

Not the sensation.

No nothing.

I’m so sorry, I tell her in my mind. I’m so, so sorry.

I close my eyes.

I need this world to disappear.

I need all of this to disappear.

I need to disappear.

23

CASS

PLAYLIST: LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE – EMINEM

Asqueeze on my arm wakes me.

It’s the doctor again.

“I’d really like to tell you about your friend, because she needs you right now.”

My eyes flash open.

“Addy,” I say.

The doctor nods.

“She’s here?” I croak out . “She’s⁠—“

“Hanging on by a thread,” says the doctor.