Page 231 of The Storm Boys Series Collection

JEREMIAH

Everything hurt.

Everything.

My bones. My brain. My skin.

Everything.

I remembered Tully’s face. Grey clouds behind him. A drizzle of rain. His wet hair. His tears.

His fear.

Then nothing.

Then there were lights and people staring down at me. A hospital. I remembered the doctors telling me to close my eyes, it would help, they said. They would cover my eyes because it would help, they said.

It sounded as if they were underwater.

Then everything was dark and the only thing that existed was pain.

Until that didn’t exist anymore either.

But then there was a familiar touch. A hand in mine. A familiar voice. He sounded so sad. He was crying. But he was adamant and strong, and I clung to that.

He wasn’t going anywhere.

He’d be right here.

Right here.

He wasn’t leaving.

“Get some sleep,” he said. “I’ll be right here.”

I clung to that with all I had left in me.

I woke up to more sounds. Beeping. Far-off voices. It sounded obscured but better than before. There was still only darkness, but someone had hold of my hand.

I didn’t need to see to know who.

I squeezed his hand. I tried to speak, despite how dry my mouth was, how dry my throat was. “Hey.”

“Jeremiah,” he whispered. Tully’s voice was like hearing heaven. “You’re awake,” he said. “Thank God.”

I lifted my hands to my face, trying to find why I couldn’t see.

His gentle fingers stopped me. “It’s a bandage. The doctors said it was just precautionary.” He squeezed both my hands and I felt the bed dip. His voice was much closer now, his breath warmer, and a soft kiss pressed to my forehead. “You’re okay, baby. You’re gonna be fine.”

I sighed, resting, basking in the fact he was here. That he held my hands. That he loved me.

I tried to stay awake, to stay coherent, but the heaviness dragged me under again. Everything felt off-kilter. My heart, my breathing.

But I’d be okay. Tully said so.

And he still had a hold of my hand.

I woke up again to more voices. Quiet murmurs, familiar and warm. I knew he was close, but my hands were empty.

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