Someone screams.
No. That’s me. I’m screaming.
“Shane!” My voice is drowned out by shouting and gunfire.
Flat on my back, I stare up at the ceiling and try to breathe through it, but it’s closer to a pant. The cold concrete nips at my back. I turn my head, watching as feet run by under the truck that blocks my view of the chaos.
“Gabriel!” This time my voice is no more than a broken sob.
Trying to roll onto my side, my leg screams in agony. I manage, but when I try to sit up, my hand slides across the floor.
My fingers are painted scarlet with blood.
My blood.
The room sways. My head feels heavy. I melt into the floor, my muscles giving in to the gravitational pull.
I’m going to die.
Sirens wail in the distance.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
My vision blurs, and I close my eyes.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Warm amber fills my nose.Hmmm.I love that smell.
“You’re okay. Ash, you’re fine,” a voice filters through the fog, and fingers run through my hair. “Ashton, can you hear me?” When I pry my eyes open, JT’s kneeling in front of me. His brows are furrowed and a tear snakes down his cheek.
I smile.
He grabs my hand, squeezing it tight. It’s nice—warm.
Then he’s gone, replaced by black.
“Ashton, baby girl. Open your eyes.”
It’s hard, but I do.
“You’re okay.” His voice cracks as he says it.
Big brown eyes bore into me.
JT, a great friend.
His mouth moves, but a soft pitter patter fills my ears, drowning him out.
Rain. I love rain.
Except I can see the sun still shining in through the windows behind him.
Blue eyes appear in my line of sight. They fill with tears when they lock onto mine.
Gabriel. That’s love. A song plays in my head, or maybe I’m singing it—I don’t know. Something about a butterfly. Gran.
I’m in my bed. She’s sitting on the edge humming the Dolly Parton song. Her hand runs through my curls. The scent of Marlboro fills the room mixed with the night cream she puts on just before bed. I’m so happy.
