Page 119 of Fake Game

Black.

THIRTY-TWO

JACKSON

Icradle her in my arms, running through groups of people, not caring who I push out of my way.

“I’m confirming that emergency services have been called,” Derrick, one of the security team who has been shadowing us, says as he jogs up beside me.

“If they’re not here by the time I get out there, I’m taking a car myself.”

“I advise against that. We should wait for medical personnel.”

“I’m not waiting if she’ll just get worse,” I bark.

Deer stirs against my chest, but when I glance down, her eyes are still shut.

“Deer, come on, stay awake.”

She mutters something incoherent, lips barely moving. She’s like a ragdoll; there’s no conscious thought in her.

“Fuck, this is not good.”

I push my legs to move faster, ignoring the burn and instead using it to fuel my muscles. The pain in my body distracts me from the pain in my heart.

I don’t understand what happened. One minute she was fine, the next it was like someone accidentally kicked the power cord and her entire body shut down.

She said she was tired. I should’ve pushed her to stay back.

But I was excited to spend time with her.

God, why did I have to be so selfish?

“I have confirmation that the ambulances are just down the street.”

“As in more than one?”

Fuck. They must think something is seriously wrong with her if they’ve sent multiple. My heart begins to crack.

“No, there’s, well.” Derrick clears his throat.

“There’s what?”

The guy is a lot fitter than I gave him credit for; he’s in a full suit and keeping pace with me without breaking a sweat. It’s impressive.

“I’m not sure it’s appropriate to tell you, given your current mental state.”

“Well, my mental state isn’t really going to matter if you’re fired. Now, is it?”

I take it back. It isn’tthatimpressive. We can replace him.

“A second ambulance was called for Mr. Covington.”

My steps falter on the last step I’m climbing, but Derrick anticipates my reaction and reinforces my weight by grabbing my elbow. I stop, facing him.

“What do you mean?”

“It appears he is also unwell.”

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