Page 19 of Brutal Savage

They start the car as my body shakes, my soul in pieces as my friend is there, dying alone.

The car speeds further away, and before I can think better of it, I open the door and jump out, my body rolling onto the side of the road and hitting a tree.

“Ow, fuck!” I wince, just as tires shriek.

I jump to my feet and look back at the car, expecting Fred to chase me. Instead, Jerry stares with dark, soulless eyes and laughs before the vehicle speeds away.

With relief, I rush for Kennedy. My one friend in the world. And when I find her, I drop to my knees.

“I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry! I can get you help.”

I swipe under my lower lashes, hoping to find a car and ask the driver to take us to the hospital. Or even call the cops. I don’t care what happens to me. I just need to save her.

I touch her skin…her cold, pale skin. And when I press two fingers into her pulse, I find it still. No life inside her.

“NO!” I wail. “No! You can’t be gone!” My snivels choke out of me as I scoop her up into my lap and rock her. “Please come back. Please!”

But she never does.

I remain there, holding her for hours until the darkness calls.

And I fall asleep beside her, wishing like hell I could undo it all.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?” my grandma’s voice calls to me.

I gasp, jumping back, and the cup of orange juice spills all over. “Ugh. Yeah, sorry. I’m fine.”

“Didn’t seem like it to me.”

I ignore the concern in her voice, hurrying off to grab some napkins. “Just worried about Grandpa, that’s all.”

I wipe my white tank top, now stained. Fabulous.

“He had a good life,” she muses, tentatively patting his hand. “He would hate to live like this.” Emotions hit her tone.

I know she’s right. What else can we do for him, though?

“I’ll stay with him for a little while. You go, sweetheart.”

“Are you sure? How will you get back?”

“I’ll call Lucy and she’ll pick me up.” She waves off my concern. “She wanted to get some lunch anyway.”

“Alright.” I nod, knowing Gran likes to have her time alone with Grandpa. I understand completely. “If you need me to come back and pick you up, please call, okay?”

“Of course I will. But I’ll be fine.” She grabs the remote and turns on the game show network.

“Oh, Family Feud. I like Family Feud.” Grandpa smiles, and my grandmother’s face brightens.

“We’ll be fine, sweetie. You go. Maybe meet a nice man, hmm?”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, no. I’m good.”

“Can’t be alone forever, darling.”

“Watch me.” I wink. “I love you.”

“Love you more.” She tsks as I head out. “Those young people,” she says to Grandpa. “They think they know everything.”

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