Page 71 of Safe
“I really gotta stop putting you in situations where you’ve gotta save my ass.”
I tried to laugh, but it came out hollow.
My eyes darted to Danielle.
She wasn’t speaking or moving, but she clung to the EMT’s hand like she was the only thing keeping her here.
SWAT was radioing status reports. Officers barked orders over open comms.
I backed toward Danielle, who was now being lifted onto a gurney. Her eyes fluttered open long enough to meet mine.
“I’m here,” I whispered, voice breaking.
She gave the smallest nod before closing her eyes and giving in.
The chaos didn’t matter anymore. Not the blood. Not the noise. Just her.
I followed her out to the ambulance, climbing in without asking. No one stopped me.
And I wasn’t leaving her side.
-
I sat in an uninviting, sterile room inside the hospital for hours while doctors attended to both Danielle and Alex, doing anything I could to occupy my time while I waited for word onboth. After a few hours, Alex came back in sporting an arm sling. I jumped to my feet and hugged him as well as I could without hurting him. I was relieved, but there was still a sinking pit in my stomach over how long Danielle had been with doctors.
“How is she? Have you seen her? What are the doctors saying?” I couldn’t even let Alex get anything out on his own. I had a thousand questions, and all of them needed answers.
“Look, man. She cracked her skull open and lost a lot of blood. I don’t know yet.”
I let the statement sit with me for a minute. “I’ll give it to her.”
“Dude… I hardly think this is the time for… You know. I mean, I’m sure you’re… great and all, but not ‘bring someone back to life’ great.”
I just stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or roll my eyes. “Jesus Christ, dude. I mean blood. I’m a universal donor. Who do I have to go to talk to?”
It was easier than I thought. I mean, sure, I felt woozy afterwards, but the doctor said getting her the amount she needed without having to wait could only make her situation better.
They finished tending to her injuries and brought her back to the room, unsure how the blows to her head would affect her. She was still unconscious, and a little touch-and-go, but the doctors were hopeful.
I couldn’t do anything but sit beside her, holding her hand, and praying for her to wake up. I felt myself getting tired, but I wasn’t leaving her side. I tucked a loose piece of her hair behind her ear, revealing the new stitches, which I was careful to avoid.
My fingers followed the delicate curve of her ear before I leaned in and whispered, “If I’m forced to lose you in this life, I swear to God, I’ll find you in the next one.”
I nestled my head in the crook of her arm and passed out.
36. DANIELLE
I watched my brother hit the floor, and it felt like my life was over.
I had told myself over and over again that if anything happened to either one of them, I would lose myself; I would have no reason to stay alive anymore. Watching him lie on the floor in a pool of blood, I knew there was no hope left for me or Cody anymore. He was standing there helpless with no weapon, not knowing what to do.
Landon had us at this point.
Any move either of us made would get us both killed. I wished I could just tell Cody everything I needed to; that I was sorry, that this was my fault and not his, that I had never felt love like I had the past few months, that I needed him. I needed to come up with something to save Cody, even if it meant sacrificing myself, so before Cody could react or do anything, I whispered I love you to him and swung my body hard left until I fell to the ground.
After that, everything was a blur.
I had smacked my head on the hardwood floor, and I couldn’t see in the direction of Cody and Landon. I was still tied tight to the chair, and the pain in my arm where Landon had stabbed me was becoming as unbearable as the two blows to my skull. Just as I was trying to free myself, I heard a gun go off.
