Page 229 of Irreversible

His scream stops abruptly.

Searing pain registers.

The splintered umbrella handle protrudes from my shoulder. I grit my teeth against the agonized sound it pulls from me.

Inches away, Vincent’s eyes widen. His mouth opens soundlessly.

Wrapping my arm around his back, I yank him into me.

Push harder. Twist.

Jagged glass opens his jugular vein.

Blood coats my hand, pumping faster with every waning heartbeat. His gaze locks with mine, both coal and colorless, and he sees.

He knows.

My eyes burn with saltwater and blood spatter, but I keep them open.

I’m going to watch the life drain out of you, motherfucker.

Vincent’s lungs empty in awhoosh,eyes fluttering, rolling backward.

With a new surge of strength, I pull upward, dragging the glass through the artery. Slicing it wide open.

He’s just a man, after all.

“That’s for all of us,”I whisper against his cheek.

His godforsaken blood is my reward, andI will fucking bathe in it.

His body slumps.

Dead weight.

Dead.

All the strength leaves me. I exhale. Numbness creeps over my body. We collapse on the deck.

Then there’s pain…

Relief.

My eyes close. And there’s nothing.

Fucking

sweet

nothing.

It’s finished.

The energy drains out of me. I could die here. Just like this.

Maybe I will.

I did it. I’m done.