Page 104 of Blood Sport

He had his chance to put his beliefs aside to help his sister, but instead, he chose to run. His flight really took over at that moment, and I hate him for that. If that was truly my brother, he would’ve done anything to help me.

Whoever that fucking man is… he’s not my brother.

“Evie, you’re going to be okay.” Jaylen brushes the hair away from my face. His eyes are frantic as they look over my body. “I can’t believe that motherfucker stabbed you.”

“I-It’s okay,” I wheeze, trying to suck more air into my lungs but they feel like they’re on fire along with the rest of my body. The pain has returned in full force, the moment of reprieve a false sense of security. “I’m o-okay.”

“No, you’re not. You have a wooden stake through your chest for fuck’s sake because you tried to save me.”

And I would do it again, I want to say, but it hurts to speak.

As my vision blurs further, I can feel myself slipping away. My head is heavy, and I can no longer move my limbs. Breathing is difficult and I can’t think straight. All I want is to find peace away from the fire and burning. I just want—

“Keep your eyes open,” Jaylen demands from above me, his eyes searching my face. “I’m not going to lose you, Ev. I will plunge a stake into my heart before I let you leave this earth. I only just got you, so I’m not going to lose you now.”

Unable to speak, all I can do is smile up at him as a single tear slides down my cheek. Even if I were to die right now, I would be content knowing I got to spend the time I did with Jaylen. I didn’t want to admit it for fear of having my heart broken, but I’m falling for this man. My brother’s best friend. A vampire. The man makes me feel protected and safe, and that is all I have ever wanted—to feel safe.

I’m his girl without a doubt. His little angel. And that’s something I’m happy to take to my grave.

“I’m not letting you die,” he grunts as his fangs pierce through his gums, glinting under the streetlamps. “Over my fucking dead body.”

The sound of skin ripping reaches my ears, but all I can focus on is the white light forming above me in the shape of a halo. If this is my time to go, I will gladly step into the light. I just know my parents will be waiting for me and that thought comforts me more than the peace I’m seeking from the pain splitting me in two.

Something hot and metallic fills my mouth, almost choking me, before my vision darkens and I feel my soul leave my body, floating in the open air above.

Is this what it feels like to die?

Epilogue

Darkness. That’s all I can see.

I don’t know which way is up or if anything is around me at all. It just feels like I’m floating, suspended in the air as I float away for all eternity. My fingers are numb, and my limbs feel heavy. Everything hurts.

Do I exist? Or is this just a nightmare I can’t seem to get out of?

The darkness threatens to consume all my senses, forcing my eyes shut. The thought scares me, but my body hurts too much to care. If I just let go, will the ringing in my ears silence and the pain in my limbs cease?

Maybe that’s what I need—peace and quiet.

If I close my eyes and let go, will I finally get that? The peace that I have been searching for since the death of my parents?

My head grows foggy as my body feels like it goes into freefall, the darkness pulling me under, under, under until the pain stops and my mind clears.

Is this what it feels like to be truly at peace? To just let everything… go?

I smile, the darkness no longer scaring me as it did before. In fact, I welcome it. If I could lie in this position, pain-free, I would gladly accept my fate, because I no longer want to be in pain.

But just as quick as the peace came, a fire spread through my veins, forcing my eyes open. My limbs feel heavy, and my heart is squeezing in my chest painfully. I’m unable to get fresh air into my lungs as I stare at the darkness around me, gasping, painfully aware of the blood pumping in my veins.

In the distance, the darkness opens to reveal a bright white light shining down on me, blinding me momentarily. The pain increases, and once again, I feel as though I’m floating. Higher and higher I go until I reach the base of the light.

The searing pain inside my chest deepens as I stare at the beam of light. And within the blink of an eye, I’ve descended into darkness once again.