Page 72 of Shattered

“Get an ambulance,” I heard one of the officers say.

Jade.

She was so still.

“Angel. I’m here. Open your eyes.”

Her chest rose once.

“Help me get her out.” I turned to my brother.

He took her legs while I gently scooped under her arms and we lifted her out, carefully laying her on the ground.Instinct and years of training took over as my fingers slid over her cool skin to find the groove in her neck.

Thirty seconds. Feel for thirty seconds.

Nothing. Not even the faintest of flutters.

“I’m so sorry, Koen.”

“Fuck that.” I crossed my hands over her chest and started pumping.

One one thousand. Two one thousand. Three one thousand.

“No goddammit. This is not how our story ends. No fucking way.”

Twenty-four one thousand. Twenty-five one thousand.

Leaning over, I pinched her nose and covered her mouth with mine. I watched as her chest rose with both breaths I gave, then went still.

“Koen—”

“Help me, Riley.”

Without another word, he took over chest compressions. Twenty-five pumps. Two breaths.

“Come on, Angel. Breathe for me.”

“Wait. I’ve got a pulse.”

Then, she gasped.

23LIAR

Jade

They lied.

Every single person who waxed poetic about there being a light at the end of the tunnel was a bold-face liar. All of them. Not only was there no freaking light, there also wasn’t anyone waiting to greet me. I thought at least Gran would be there, but nope.

Death was lonely.

Death was dark.

Death was painful.

Wait. What?

Heaven was supposed to be pain-free. Guess they lied about that too.

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