Page 64 of Filthy Liar

Jason

“Sniper!”I yell as I drop, desperate to get across to Ellie now. She’s bleeding, a pool forming under her body, but I can’t see where she was hit.

So much blood.

Outside, there is return fire. Sirens.

Inside, I’m a man clawing his way through slick red mess, trying to find a wound to put pressure on.

Boots on the stairs.

Voices in the distance. “He’s not dangerous, don’t shoot.Medic. We have two people down in here!”

They’re wrong, though.

One person, one monster.

I stare down at Ellie’s pale face.No,she would say.He’s a person, too. People are monsters every day.

Two people down in here, and it’s all my fault.

25

Melinda

The first timeI wake up, there are way too many beeping machines and bright lights. I can’t keep my eyes open, and Jason’s face swims in front of me for a hot second before I drift again.

The second time, it’s dark and quiet, and my throat is dry. I try to use my voice and nothing comes out, so I just blink up at the ceiling for a moment.

I’m in the hospital.

I’m alive.

My neck is stiff, but it works enough to look right—a curtain, and a door past that. I’m in a regular room. A private room.

I look left, and I realize I’m not alone. Jason is sleeping in a chair in the corner. His hair is standing on end, he hasn’t shaven in what looks like days at least, if not a week.

But I smile, because I’m alive, and he’s right there.

It hurts to kick my feet, and my arms are heavy, too, but I’m pretty sure I have control of my limbs.

Twisting sends a sharp burning pain up my side, though. Fuck. A gasp, and it comes out a rough croak.

Jason’s eyes fly open. “Ellie,” he says roughly, surging to his feet. He hits a button on the wall. “You’re awake.”

“Mmm.”I love you.“Mm-urgh.”

“Shhh. It’s been a few days. Hang on, I’ll get you some water.”

I try to take a deep breath and make myself cough, which holy shit, really hurts. He comes around to the right and holds a lidded cup with a straw out for me to sip at.

“Little sips.”

A nurse bustles in behind him, and the light flicks on. I groan and close my eyes. “Too bright.”

“Hey, those are words!” Jason sounds down right thrilled at my basic ability to communicate.

“What…happened?”

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