He smirked as he coughed up blood, taking his final breath. I’m no longer looking at the man of my nightmares, but the ghost of a boy that I used to know. I mourned him a long time ago.
I made my way through the black smoke until I spotted Parker on the floor.
My steps faltered when I saw the blood surrounding his leg. Another boom rattled the barn and forced me into action. The doors to the barn were no more than two feet away.
I rushed to Parker’s side, threading my arms under his and pulling his body into me. The sight of his leg makes me cringe. I didn't want to make things worse by moving him, but I had no choice.
Sweat broke out all over my body as the heat from the fire intensified.
I used whatever strength I had left to pull Parker. I pull and pull him, dragging him closer to the door. He’s heavy, and with each motion, I feel like the fire is licking at my skin.
My legs are numb, and my arms feel like they’ll give out, but I don’t stop until we’re through the double doors of the barn and surrounded by the tall grassland.
Parker still hasn’t woken up, and I fear that he is really gone.
Sobs worked their way up my throat and out of my mouth, filling the quiet night with my agony and despair.
I choked and coughed as tears ran down my face. I collapsed near Parker, my body finally giving in to its injuries.
A bright light blinded my vision, and the sound of tires screeching and feet pounding across the pavement filled my senses.
“They’re over here!” was the last thing I heard as the darkness took me under.
Chapter 42
Evelyn
Soft beeping and the touch of a caress on my hand brought me back to reality. My eyes fluttered open to greet a familiar face.Aja.
I almost wanted to smile at her before I remembered the havoc that transpired.
The machines beeped wildly as my mind ran through the last memories that I had before waking up here.
“Parker,” I choke out, my throat feeling dry and scratchy.
“Willow, you need to calm down before the doctors race in here.” She coaxes me, taking my hand in hers again, gently rubbing her thumb over my skin.
“It’s Evelyn.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. Evelyn.” She shook her head. “The doctors are taking care of Parker, okay? I just need you to calm down and focus on taking care of yourself for a moment.”
I hear what she’s saying, but my heart doesn’t believe it. I need to see him.
“Where is he?” I choke out.
Aja gets up from the chair at my bedside and pours a cup of water, handing it to me before answering.
“He’s in surgery,” she says with a sigh.
Before I got a chance to speak, she held up her hand to stop me.
“Evelyn, I need you to listen and not freak out. I promise I will tell you everything. But please, I need you to listen and stay calm. We’re all on edge here, and I don’t want you hurting yourself. You need to recover.”
I tried to take a deep breath, and felt the aches in my body again.
Bandages covered my arms and wrapped around my middle. There’s blood underneath my fingernails and small cuts decorating my hands. I wasn't sure that I wanted to know what my face looked like, but curiosity made me reach up to touch my nose anyway, pulling my hand back once I touched the tender area.
“You have a lot of stitches, and some of the wounds were stapled. Your nose was broken when they brought you in, so they realigned it. You’ve been in and out of consciousness due to the concussion. I’ve been here with you most of the time, if not me, then Danny and Mr. Morales.”
