Page 124 of Freshmeet
“Oh. Okay.” Tom dropped to the ground, crawling toward Connor. “They’re down by the tree house, Con.”
“Who?” Connor frowned, gently checking Jamie for more wounds.
“Kimmy and Linc.”
Connor’s jaw flexed, but he stayed silent.
“Someone killed them.”
The two old friends shared a pained look before focusing on Jamie.
The four of us glanced around the field. Near the smoldering bonfire sat a group of about six girls with Laura in the middle of them.
“I’m scared,” Olivia whispered to me, and I nodded.
Scared didn’t begin to explain the feeling turning in my gut.
We heard the sirens before the flashing blue and red lights cut through the trees. The entire Kirksville PD flew up the dirt road, followed by two ambulances.
Police officers jumped out of the cars and spread out across the field. Bright flashlight beams sliced through the darkness, blinding us as the cops jogged over.
“Send an EMT over to the tents,” one of the officers said into the radio on his shoulder.
In a blur, the EMTs checked Jamie’s vitals and got him strapped to a board. Connor rushed behind them with a singular focus. We followed until we were at the ambulance. Connor climbed in after they got Jamie situated, then looked out at me. “Can you come with me?”
“Sorry, only one family member can ride along,” the EMT said, shutting one of the doors.
“We’ll follow in the van!”
Connor nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears.
The other door shut, and the ambulance took off.
A radio crackled nearby, and the police took off on foot.
“So, can we go?” Olivia asked, starting toward the van.
I looked towards the lights bouncing between the trees. “I honestly don’t know.”
A large black SUV pulled up, and an elderly white man stepped out, dressed entirely in black. When he turned, the word coroner was across his back in bold, yellow letters.
What the fuck is happening?
After an hour of questioning by the police and gathering Connor’s wallet, keys, phone, and a change of clothes, we finally made it to the hospital.
The doors to the ER slid open, and the smell of disinfectant immediately greeted us. Squinting against the bright fluorescent lights, we rushed to the information desk.
“I’m looking for Jamie McCormick.”
The nurse looked at her monitor and asked, “Are you family?”
“I’ve got them, Ruby,” a tired voice said from behind us.
I turned and let out a relieved breath.
“Oh my God, Ms. McCormick.” Without thinking, I threw my arms around her. “Is Jamie okay?”
She nodded with a sniffle. “He’s stable but hasn’t woken up.”
