Page 156 of Exposé

"I’m happy." The lie burned as it left my lips—the tears unstoppable. "I love my life. And I might be scared out of my mind right now, but I am not suicidal."

"Jesus Christ—"

"Tell me you understand." I sniffled, grabbed a tissue from the glove box, and wiped my nose. "Please."

Liam’s sigh crackled through the line. "I hear you, Ava. But you need to tell me where you are."

My eyes flicked to the call timer.

Two minutes.

It was enough.

"I’m somewhere safe for now."

I pushed the end button, opened my window, and tossed the tracking device out the window.

30

30

Nate

My skin stuck to the leather seat, the blood soaking through my shirt and pinning it to my ribs like glue. I ripped at the makeshift bandage, exposing the freshly opened wound.

Deep.

Angry.

Each throb was like a punch from the inside out, reverberating through my ribs and clawing at the edges of my focus. My hands twitched, slick with sweat, as I tried to steady them on my lap. The pulsing heat from the wound forced me to pause, my breath hitching with every jolt that traveled up my spine.

I grabbed the first-aid kit I’d yanked from the trunk of some sorry sap's car and tore it open.

Gauze.

Alcohol wipes.

Tape

"That's a start."

My chest heaved as I stared out the cracked windshield at the murky riverbank, trying to slow my heartbeat—the sharp tang of blood and mud clinging to the air.My hands, slick with a mix of both, fumbled with the small packet of alcohol wipes. I placed it between my teeth and tore it open like a condom.

The river's surface rippled, each wave spreading wide like the edges of my fraying control, the adrenaline dumping from my system in a slow, torturous tide. My heavy breathing slowed to an uneven rhythm. The water mocked me with its calm, a deceptive facade hiding the weight now anchored beneath it.

I ripped open the gauze, biting back a groan as the movement tugged at the wound, and let out a low hiss. Leaning back into the headrest, its vinyl surface cold against the short hairs on my head, I shut my eyes tight. The sharp sting radiated outward like shards of glass spreading under my skin, pulling my focus into a narrow biting point.

Keep going.

One breath.

One step at a time.

Sucking in a deep breath, I pressed the alcohol wipe to the outer edges of the gash. Fire roared through my body. Stars burst behind my eyes, scattering like glitter as my breath caught and refused to return. My muscles clenched in rebellion, locking me into a rigid, agonizing stillness.

My vision shrank, the edges darkening as adrenaline surged again, fighting the sudden wave of exhaustion. I gasped, desperate for air, shallow breaths tearing into my chest like jagged blades.

Damn it, Barlowe, stay awake.

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