Page 51 of Them Bones

Twelve!

Eleven!

Ten!

She put down her beer, shimmied over on her knees.

Nine!

Eight!

Seven!

She was blushing.

Six!

Five!

Four!

He could still hear the song playing beneath the shouting.

Toll due, bad dream come true

I lie dead gone under red sky

I feel so alone

Three!

Two!

One!

The girl tilted her head back, looking at him with shy, hesitant eyes. And with a sick, twisted feeling in his gut, he leaned down and pressed his lips softly to hers.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

“Thanks,” she whispered. He smiled a little at her, grateful that she hadn’t tried to stick her tongue in his mouth. Grateful that she hadn’t done much of anything, really – just kissed him chastely and then studied him, like she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to introduce herself or not.

The girl shifted to the left, revealing Laney staring at him with an unfathomable expression.

“What’s your name?” he asked. The girl told him, but he was having trouble hearing her over the sound of his insides shriveling up.

I feel so alone

Gonna end up a big ol’ pile

Someone approached Laney, blocking her from his line of sight. A guy.

I feel so alone

Gonna end up a big ol’ pile

Shane hadn't felt pain like this in a long, long time.

I feel so alone

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