Page 85 of Love Bleeds Red
“She’s bleeding bad,” Jasper says. I can read his tone… it’s not looking good.
Damon kicks the guard’s weapon away from his body and scans the tree line. “We need to move. That gunshot will bring more.”
Breathing heavily, I force myself to think tactically, to push down the overwhelming relief and joy of seeing Bailey again. Her friend, Polly from what I’ve heard Bailey call her, is dying. There’s more people after us. This isn’t over.
I crouch beside Polly, pressing my hands against the wound in her side. Blood seeps between my fingers, warm and sticky. She barely stirs, just whimpers as I move my hand away.
“Can you move?” I ask her gently.
She inclines her chin a bit. “I think so.”
“Bailey, can you walk?” Damon asks. He’s got his gun out, scanning the area around us.
She nods, but she’s trembling all over. Jasper moves toward her slowly, speaking softly. “It’s okay. We’re here now. We’re going to get you out.”
He lifts her, and she holds onto his shoulders. “I’ve got her.”
I wrap my arm around Polly’s waist, helping her to her feet. She leans heavily against me, and I can feel her strength ebbing with each step. Carefully, I pick her up, cradling her in a bridal position, as her cries grow weaker.
Fucking hell. That is not a good sign.
We make it maybe a hundred feet deeper into the woods before she quiets and goes completely limp in my arms.
“We have to stop,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm while I’m freaking the fuck out. I lower Polly gently against the base ofa tree, wiping my bloody hands on my pants. Bailey scrambles out of Jasper’s arms and drops to her knees beside us.
“Polly?” Her voice cracks as she touches her pale face. “Polly, can you hear me?”
I turn on my flashlight, positioning it on the ground, and press my hands against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. There’s so much blood. Too much. It’s soaked through her dress… There’s no way. I don’t know what to do.
“Is she...” Damon asks quietly, coming to my side.
I check for a pulse at her throat. Searching desperately… For Bailey, please let this poor girl live.
For a moment, there’s nothing. Then I feel it. So fucking weak, but still there.
“She’s alive, but barely,” I say. “The bullet must have hit something vital… Shit, i-it’s bad.”
“No,” Bailey whispers, smoothing Polly’s hair back from her face. “No, she’s going to be fine. She has to be fine. Polly? Polly, wake up!”
Jasper kneels next to us, struggling to keep himself calm. “What can we do?”
I look at Polly again, and know that we’re out of time. But I can’t say that, not with Bailey falling apart beside me.
“We need to get her to a hospital,” I say instead.
“How?” Damon asks. “We’re in the middle of nowhere, and we can’t exactly call an ambulance.”
Polly’s eyes flutter open. They’re glassy and lifeless like she’s struggling to see. “Bailey,” she whispers.
“I’m here,” Bailey says, wrapping Polly’s hand in hers. “I’m right here.”
“Don’t go back. He’s… they’re—” I struggle to make out what she’s trying to say. “Safe now… you’re safe.”
“Don’t talk,” Bailey pleads, choking back a sob. “Save your strength.”
Polly tries to say more but her voice trails off.
“Fuck,” Jasper cries, as Polly’s eyes roll back. “Dude, she’s dying!”
