Page 79 of Blood

Hitting the glass on her back, Shelby flies off the hood, turning before she hits the ground. Cooper throws his car in reverse and speeds off out of the lot.

I jump to my feet, pass Belle to Lara, and run out without a word.

My feet pound the pavement as I race to my best friend. Pushing through the crowd, I barely see her through blurry eyes.

Kaleb and Michael are helping Dr. Moore pry Riley from Shelby’s stronghold. While Daniel runs to the end of the parking lot after the fleeing car, motioning police in the direction it went.

“It’s me, Shelby,” Doc sobs. “I’ll take her. Let Riley go.”

Shelby blinks up at him not making a sound, not even when he raises her oddly shaped wrist.

“I called an ambulance,” Sheriff McCallister rushes.

“They need to be quick. She’s going into shock.” Doc shakes his head.

“Riley, are you hurt?” Kaleb asks.

“No,” she cries.

“Are you sure, baby?” her dad checks.

The little girl clings to Michael.

Daniel waves down the ambulance, and I watch helplessly as Shelby is loaded onto a stretcher.

“Riley,” Shelby mouths, unable to speak.

“She’s right here. She’s coming with us,” Dr. Moore insists about his daughter.

“Sir, the child can’t come,” the paramedic argues.

“Shelby was holding her when she was struck. Riley needs looking over.”

The little girl cries, refusing to let go of my brother.

“Go with them. I’ll follow in the car,” Kaleb urges.

I watch the man I love help load everyone into the ambulance.

We did this. This is our fault.

My heart cracks. My whole body shakes as I step back. My eyes never leave him as the crowd swallows me.

In a daze, I turn, drop to the curb, and sob.

I knew it would end, but I never could have predicted this.

What did we do?

“Baby, I have to go. Samantha!”

But Kaleb’s voice and the feel of his hands on my face just make me cry harder.

“I’ll get her home,” Daniel tells him. “I’d go instead, but I can’t leave Charlie and the kids.”

“No, no. I understand. Take her to the cabin. Mom and Dad are there,” Kaleb orders.

Lips press against my hair.