The heavy door slowly opened.
“Skye?”
I blinked, choking on my tears. The voice that said my name wasn’t my brother’s.
It was Fox.
A sob burst from my chest before I could stop it. I scrambled to my feet and launched toward the doorway. My arms wrapped around him before I even fully registered his face—just the sound of his voice, the impossible relief of it.
His arms came around me, pulling me tight. His hold was warm and solid.
He said my name again. Like it was a lifeline. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” he asked, distraught, not letting me go.
“I’m okay,” I breathed against his chest.
He pulled back enough to look down at me, brushing hair from my face. His eyes were searching, frantic and gentle all at once. He pressed a kiss to my forehead, then to my lips.
His mouth was soft against mine. I leaned into the kiss, until something wrong finally registered. A bitter, salty taste that was slightly metallic.
Blood.
I jerked back, fully taking him in now.
He was covered in blood.
Large stains bloomed on his shirt. Streaks of red were smeared along his arms, his jaw, his neck. His face was so pale. I felt like Icouldn’t breathe.
“What happened to you?” Horror spiked through me. “Fox, you’re bleeding.”
He swayed slightly, and I realized he was leaning on me, as if he couldn’t stand straight without help.
“I’m okay,” he said, but his voice was thin and thready. “We have to get out of here. Call 911.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone with trembling fingers. He handed it to me. “Here.”
I took the phone and he grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the door, toward freedom.
We barely made it a few steps before he faltered.
“Fox?”
His grip loosened.
“Fox—”
His legs gave out, and he collapsed.
I lunged forward, catching him the best I could, lowering us both to the floor. My heart stuttered, panic tearing through me like a scream.
“Fox!” I gasped, cradling his head, trying to assess where he was hurt. There was so much blood on him. I didn’t know where it was all coming from.
He didn’t answer.
His eyes fluttered, then rolled back.
“No. No, no, no, no, no.” My voice broke as I shook him. “Fox, stay with me. Do you hear me? You don’t get to leave me. Not now.”
He didn’t move.
“Wake up!” I yelled. “I’m not letting you die!”
