Page 137 of Haunt Me

“Ass,” I gasp, before throwing up again. “Where are the girls?”

“Gone home. Eden is cleaning up with her dad.”

“She didn’t…?”

“No, she didn’t see you like this.”

We are both sprawled on the cool bathroom tiles. He is looking at my face as if he is trying to decipher me.

“You know,” he says conversationally, waiting until I stop heaving long enough to take a semi-normal breath, “ah, I don’t know if I should tell you.”

“Now you need to tell me.”

“Mom is about to check you into a hospital,” he says bluntly.

“She what?”

“Zay, she knows that you haven’t been able to keep anything down for… What’s it been, two days now?”

“Three,” I reply. “I think. Time has lost…” I close my eyes. A wave of nausea assaults me.

“One can tell. I would be able to tell even if I weren’t your brother. Just by looking at you.” He bites his upper lip. I must look a bit gray. Maybe more than a bit.

“What, is she going to ask them to hook me up to an IV?” I choke out laughter, careful to not throw up again.

“Yes,” James replies simply. He’s not kidding or being sarcastic, not this time.

“Fine,” I bite out. “I’ll freaking eat something. Satisfied?”

“Not even close.”

“No one cares about your satisfaction either way. Now kindly piss off.”

He gets up to do just that and I lean over the toilet bowl with an unearthly groan. He turns back, sighing as though I’m the world’s most burdensome brother. I hear him kneel slowly behind me. In a second, his arms are around my chest, supporting my weight.

I think I am crying.

‘You will be saved, Eden.’

Maybe, but not by me. I need saving myself. I am in no condition to save anyone.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly, hoping James won’t hear it.

“Just stop hurting, Zay,” he replies just as quietly, and I feel the soft weight of his head resting against my back. “Please stophurting. It’s like watching Dad die all over again, and I can’t save you either. But this time it’s worse, because it won’t stop. You keep dying and dying and I-I can’t stand it.”

…

Isaiah: I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry

Faith: Who is this?

Isaiah: It’s Isaiah. You have my number.

Isaiah: I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry

Faith: I know I have your number, but this doesn’t sound like you. I thought your phone got hacked.

Isaiah: I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry

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