“Where are you?” I demand. “I’m coming to see you.”
There is silence on the other end, except for the wind. “You don’t have to do that, sweetheart. We can just see you tomorrow,” he says eventually.
“Ryland. No,” my voice wobbles. “I want to see the three of you. Please.”
More wind, and voices in the background. I can’t make out any words except one.
Ambulance.
“Is an ambulance coming?” I whisper. Piper’s eyes widen.
“Some bystanders are saying we should. But just as a precaution. Everyone is okay,” Ryland adds hurriedly.
I can’t breathe.
Piper watches me closely, then gently plucks the phone from my hand.
Alvin nuzzles into me as Piper speaks to Ryland.
“Hey. It’s Piper. Tell me where you are, right now,” she says evenly.
Maeve watches me with pity in her eyes, and I want to die of shame.
When Piper ends the call, she hands the phone back to me.
“Do you want to go see them and wait until the tow truck arrives?” she asks me gently. “Or do you want to wait until tomorrow?”
“They just got into an accident. I want to see them,” I stammer.
They’re alive.
I need to be supportive.
But part of me doesn’t want to go.
Part of me wants to hide in my apartment with Mervin and Marlin and close off from the world.
“They got into an accident, but they’re all walking around and talking,” Piper continues. “It was minor. I promise.”
I nod but can’t take her words to heart.
It’s happening again.
Another accident, and because of me.
You caused this.
You did this.
I hand Alvin to Maeve, who bites her lip as she looks at me.
“Blair—”
“I’ll be fine,” I snap to her, and she flinches. “Iamfine.”
My inner Omega spirals, terrified and heartbroken that her scent matches were in peril.
“Get your stuff,” Piper says, “and let’s go.”
