Page 120 of Irreversible

There’s blood in my eyes.

As a piercing squeal takes the place of the silence, I blink again. Push up to my knees, wobbly, but still moving. Rub my arm over my face.

Then I remember.

Dolph was just a distraction.

I look up. Scan the field.

It’s empty.

“Fuck.” The voice is muffled. Distant. But— “Fuck, Porter.” Tanner is there. Crouching alongside me, his hand on my shoulder. He barely gives the pieces of Dolph a second glance. “Are you okay?”

I stare at the field until it starts to spin, then my eyes drift to my old friend. I’ve never been so happy to see someone in mylife, but I don’t have time to answer ridiculous questions. If I don’t keep moving, I’ll crash, and if that happens…

It can’t. I’m not done.

As long as he breathes, I’ll never be done.

I force my shaky legs to stand. Then, wiping the gore from my hands onto my shirt, I pocket the gun.

It’s mine now.

“I’ve got to go.” I head for the trees, but barely make it two steps.

“Porter, look at me.” Grabbing me by the shoulders, Tanner spins me around. “Isaac.”

“The Timekeeper,” I mumble.

His brows pull in. “Thewhat?”

I shake my head. Dammit, I’ve gotten so used to calling him that stupid fucking supervillain name. “The ringleader,” I clarify, gesturing to the tree line. “I have to find him.” Every second I take to explain this, the farther he gets. “Now.”

He pulls out his radio. “I’m on it.”

“No.” I grab his wrist.

“The only place you’re going is to a hospital. You’re lucky to be alive, for Christ’s sake.”

“No,” I growl. “He’smine.”

I don’t want help. Help will only keep me from doing what needs to be done.

I see the realization as it hits. As he looks down at the wreckage that was Dolph, and back to me. “Jesus, man. I mean,thatcan be chalked up to self-defense, but—” He rubs his hand over his jaw, confliction in his eyes. “I shouldn’t let you do this. You know that.”

“But you will.”

“You can’t do it alone, not in this condition.”

“Go back inside and get the civilians out. I’m not losing him.”

“The fire department is here. I’ve got plenty of others on the civilians. You’re my concern right now. Fuck, Porter, don’t make me knock you out.”

My glare says everything.

There’s awhooshand apopfrom the second floor. More glass shatters. Tanner flinches, but nothing can shake my resolve. Not now.

“Everly.” I wrap the lapels of his suit in my fists, getting right in his face. “Find Everly. Get her out of there. Make sure she’s okay.”

---