Page 143 of The Sweetest Cruelty: Hudson
“Fuck knows,” I replied, trying to see past the parked cars.
A small group was gathered a few spaces down from where my truck was. And then one girl started screaming.
Bloodrushedinto my ears, drowning out what mybrothers were saying as we started to move. My legs pumped from a jog to a run in seconds.
My phone went off, but I ignored it, sliding my body over the hood of a car, my brothers racing beside me. I say mybrothers, but it wasn’t all of them, as Micah wasn’t there.
Where was Micah?
Then real panic kicked in, my entire body shaking as I saw Molly’s blonde hair. She was on her knees between two cars. Kids were gathered around, and I could hear several of them on their phones. The horror on the faces of those present would stay with me forever.
“Hudson!” Molly cried.
The realisation that she was cradling someone against her chest filtered slowly. Shock had created a barrier.
Harper was sobbing by her side, almost hysterically.
And then I saw the blood and my brother, Micah.
He had been stabbed.
*****
The mixture of emotions that churned through my stomach at the sight of my brother bleeding out in my girlfriend’s arms almost made me puke. Terror gripped my throat like an actual fist,squeezing, attempting to crack every bone in my neck.
I couldn’t fucking breathe, even though my heart was thumping so hard in my chest I was surprised it didn’t shatter something.
The siren we’d heard was an ambulance. Someone had called 911 after finding Micha on the ground, a bloodied flick knife beside him. The police also showed up.
Micah was barely conscious when we got to him. I instantly fell next to where Molly was holding his head. Assessing the situation, I took over from the guy who had a top pushed against Micah’s stomach, an attempt to stem the bleeding. I didn’t recognize him, but he looked like he was about to pass out.
Why was there so much blood? It was everywhere.
“Molly, Harper? Are you hurt?” Fluid continued to soak the material I clutched. It was hard to see where it was coming from.
“No, we’re fine. We just found him like this,” Molly choked out with a sob.
“Has he been hit anywhere else?” I rasped. “Did anyone see anything?”
Everyone started talking over each other as Reed and Phoenix told everyone to make some space.
“The paramedics are here,” a guy yelled, waving his hands in the air.
“Micah, can you hear me. Micah!” I cried, pressing firmly down on the area I assumed the wound to be. I was too terrified to lift that piece of clothing I held and riskmaking things worse. Regret for not listening all those times we’d been given first aid training at school shot into me like a bullet.
Just keep pressure on the wound.
My eyes met Molly’s. Her sweet face was sheet white. She was stroking Micah’s head, comforting my brother as his life was slowly bleeding out of his body.
No! This couldn’t be happening. Tears started to run down my face, stinging every wound I had received from that stupid fight.
Guiltsearedthrough me like a hot poker.
This is your fault.Someone got to Micah when you were involved in your playground brawl.
Reaching out, I grabbed Molly’s hand and squeezed.
Who did this? St Andrew’s?If I found out that was the case, I would paint the fucking field with their blood.
