Page 105 of Wreckage

It tookeverything we had to get her back into the wreckage.

She fought us, screamed at us, tried to push us away.

We held her against us, whispering reassurances, trying to anchor her to reality, trying to stop her from slipping away entirely.

She wouldn’t stop crying. Wouldn’t stop shaking, gasping, and breaking apart in front of us.

Troy looked at me, his face pale, his expression grim.

Then, silently, he reached into his coat, pulled out the small pill bottle, and twisted the cap open with trembling hands.

“Elena,” he whispered, his voice soft but firm and commanding. “Take this.”

She refused, pressing her lips together, her entire body trembling violently.

Troy cupped her face, his thumb brushing away her hot, endless tears.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, pressing the pill to her lips. “I’m so sorry.”

I watched him force it between her lips, tilting her head back, rubbing her throat gently but insistently until she swallowed.

Her sobs slowed after several long minutes. Her body went limp.And she finally—finally—fell asleep.

Troy held her, rocking her gently, his silent tears dripping into her hair.

I pressed my forehead against hers, my hands gripping hers tightly, my body too drained to do anything but break silently beside her.

Then, after a long, shuddering breath, Troy whispered, “I have to go.”

We satby the fire long after Elena had fallen into a fitful sleep, both of us staring at the flames, knowing this was it.

Troy broke the silence first. “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

I hated it. I hated that this was the end. Hated that I knew, in my gut, that he wasn’t coming back.

“One more day,” I whispered.

Troy shook his head. “No more days.”

I swallowed hard. He was right. It was now or never. This was the end, and we either lay down and gave in or continued fighting.

That night,we talked like it was the last time we ever would.

Because it probably was.

We laughed about childhood, stupid things we did, and all the moments that seemed so small and insignificant back then but now felt like the only things that mattered.

I smirked. “Remember when Dad caught you sneaking out to meet Lexy Roberts?”

Troy snorted. “Yeah. Lost my virginity to her. She was a crazy bitch.”

I laughed. “I know. Because I lost mine to her, too.”

Troy choked, his eyes wide. “Youserious?”

I grinned. “Dead serious. Back of her BMW in the Shop-N-Go parking lot.”

Troy shook his head, laughing softly before his expression turned serious again. Silence descended for a long time.

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