Page 150 of We Are Just Us

The crowd around them had gone silent. Everyone watching.

Samantha made a sound. A sob.

“I can’t watch,” her voice broke. “Aubrey. I can’t let her see this. I just can’t…”

But she didn’t move. She was frozen, watching them try to save her brother’s life.

Another cycle. Thirty compressions. Two breaths.

Please, Kieran thought. Please work. Please.

“Check pulse.”

The paramedic stopped. Fingers to Rory’s neck again.

Everyone waited.

Kieran’s heart was hammering so hard he thought it might burst.

“I’ve got a pulse,” the paramedic said. “Weak but there. He’s breathing. Barely, but he’s breathing.”

The relief lasted half a second.

Because Rory still wasn’t conscious. Still wasn’t opening his eyes.

They were moving fast now. Cervical collar. Backboard. Rolling him carefully, securing his head, his neck, his body.

“Possible head trauma,” one of them said. “Let’s move.”

They lifted the backboard. Started toward the ambulance.

Rory’s face was slack. Gray. Not his.

Samantha grabbed Kieran’s arm again. Her face was white. Tears streaming.

“Kieran.” Her voice was sharp. Controlled through sheer force of will. “I need you to listen to me.”

He looked at her. Could barely see her through his own tears.

“I need to get Aubrey. I can’t—she can’t see this. I need to get someone to watch her, and then I’m going to the hospital.”

Kieran nodded. Couldn’t speak.

“You go with him. Don’t leave him. Do you understand? Don’t leave him.”

“I won’t.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise.”

She squeezed his arm so hard it hurt. Then she ran. Back toward where Aubrey was sleeping, oblivious.

Kieran turned. The ambulance doors were still open. The paramedics were loading Rory inside.

He ran.

“Wait—I’m—I need to—”