Page 172 of The Forbidden Note

Rick laughs, but it turns into a choking sound when his eyes drop lower.

I won’t look at my wrist again.

If I don’t look, it won’t be broken. It’ll be fine.

Rick gently kneels beside me. “The gun is empty, but they didn’t know that.”

“What if they kept attacking us?”

“Well, they didn’t.” He swallows hard. “I-it worked.”

Sol rushes over to me. His eyes drop to my arm and a look of horror twists his mouth.

The world starts turning black at the edges.

I can’t feel my hand.

No, I’m fine.

I’m fine.

I’m going to patch myself up and then hunt Hall down. He’s going to pay for what he did tonight.

“I think you should call an ambulance,” Rick says softly.

Sol breaks out his cell phone.

Tires squeal in the distance.

I hear a car door slam.

At that moment, my strength gives out. I flop back on the trampled pavement, all the blood rushing out of my head at once.

Dutch and Finn appear over me.

Finn’s hands land on my stomach. When he lifts them, the tips are stained red.

“Zane?” Dutch’s eyes are wide and gleaming in pain. It’s almost like he’s the one who got jumped tonight.

Finn’s face is also laced in panic. I’ve never seen my brother look that worried.

I’m fine.

I want to tell them out loud, but I’m tired.

So tired.

There’s too much blood.

I can smell it.

Where is it coming from?

Can’t be my wrist.

My wrist is fine.

I’m fine.

---