Page 21 of Gage

I knewit would be agonizing when they went to pick me up, so I wasn’t surprised when a scream tore from my throat. But the others weren’t ready for it. The EMT nearly dropped me, and thank goodness Gage and Raven were there. They steadied me, lifting the jackets I was lying on as carefully as possible. It still hurt, but it wasn’t as bad.

“I think the bullet is pressing against something vital,” I said through clenched teeth. “When you picked me up, there was a strange sensation—like something shifted.”

Gage exchanged a look with Raven. “Why don’t the two of us get Lori into the ambulance? That way, there’ll be less movement. We’ll place her carefully on the gurney instead of jerking it around.”

“I agree,” Raven said. “And I think we should both ride with her. Gideon can drive to make sure we avoid bumps.”

“I’m sorry, but we can’t allow that,” the EMT protested.

“We didn’t ask for permission,” Gage said firmly. “You can ride with our friends and retrieve your ambulance at the hospital.”

“You don’t understand,” the EMT stammered. “We’ll be fired if you take over the ambulance.”

“No one will know,” Gideon said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“I’ll ride up front with Gideon,” Eddie added, stepping in.

We carefully maneuvered Lori into the ambulance. Gage and Raven climbed in with her, making sure she was as comfortable as possible.

“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Gage asked, his voice gentle.

Lori’s eyelids fluttered. “I feel like I’m floating. It’s strange... like I don’t feel anything at all.” Her voice softened, almost wistful. “When I was lying out there alone, I saw my momma. She stayed with me, so I wouldn’t be by myself. Isn’t that something?”

Her eyes drifted closed, and Gage quickly checked her pulse. “She’s burning up,” he muttered.

“Maybe it’s better if she sleeps,” Raven said softly.

“Yeah, but I don’t like that she feels like she’s floating. That doesn’t sound good,” Gage replied, his brow furrowed.

“At least she’s not in much pain,” Raven offered.

“That’s true,” Gage said. “Here we are. I hope this hospital has a good doctor.”

The ambulance doors swung open, and the medical team carefully lifted Lori out. Eddie pulled up beside us in another vehicle and leaped out, rushing to follow the stretcher inside.

The doctors immediately began assessing Lori. One of them turned to us, his expression grave. “Who wants to tell me what happened?”

Eddie stepped forward. “A serial killer and his men had her. She managed to escape but was caught again and shot in the back.”

The doctor froze, his eyes widening. “A serial killer? That explains the missing women! I knew something was going on, but no one would listen to me. My sister is one of those missing women. Do you know what happened to them?”

Lori’s voice, faint but clear, answered from the stretcher. “I’m sorry about your sister. He buried them on his property.”

The doctor’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. “I’ll take care of that once I take care of you. How are you feeling?”

“I feel like I’m in a dream,” Lori whispered. “My momma keeps coming to me, telling me to stay strong. I wanted to go with her, but... I didn’t want to leave my family. Or Gage.” She paused, a soft smile on her lips. “He has a crush on me.”

Eddie chuckled, and so did Gage.

“Gage is going to cook me dinner once we finally have our date,” she added, her voice trailing off. “I like his laugh... who knows? He might be the one.”

Her words grew softer, until they faded altogether. Gage’s heart dropped, and he leaned closer, trying to coax her back. But before anyone could speak, Lori’s breathing hitched, and monitors began beeping.

“Doctor!” Gage shouted, panic rising in his voice.

The little cubical erupted into a flurry of movement as the medical team worked on Lori. Gage’s hands balled into fists, helpless as he watched. But as Lori’s eyelids fluttered and her breathing steadied, he whispered a silent prayer of thanks.

13

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