Page 5 of Lawton

Her voice rang out over the cold pavement. "Somebody help!" Her hand moved to my wrist before she started calling out again. She sounded worried and maybe a little scared.

I didn't want her to be scared. Somehow, I made myself mumble, "No. I'm good."

I heard a gasp, followed by that same voice, sweet as honey, but obviously shaken, "Uh," she stammered. "I, uh, I don't think you'reexactlyalright."

I was sinking fast. I tried to answer, but it was taking a long time.

That same sweet voice drifted through the mist. "Wait here. I'll get help."

"No," I murmured. "Wait."

She hesitated. "What?"

I couldn’t let her leave. She might not come back. Whoever she was, Ihadto see her face. It took everything I had, but somehow, I managed to lift my head and turn it in her direction. Through the haze and the blood, I tried to focus.

All I saw was a foggy blur. I needed more time. "Don't go."

She squeezed my hand. "Don't worry," she said. "I'll be right back. With help. I promise."

I looked toward the voice and tried again. Focus. Finally, the haze cleared, and I saw that face. It was the perfect match for that perfect voice. Her eyes were wide, and her lips were parted. She looked scared to death, but sweeter than anything I'd ever seen.

For the first time in my life, I was suddenly scared. She was an angel, and if she left me now, I knew I'd die. And if Iwasgoing to die, I refused to go without knowing her name. "No," I murmured. "Stay. Please."

After the briefest hesitation, she asked, "What happened?"

If she only knew.

When I didn't respond, she tried again. "Were you shot or something?"

It hurt like hell, but I had to laugh. "That bad, huh?"

A racking pain shook my insides. Suddenly, I was choking. I coughed and sputtered and then coughed some more. When it was all over, I tasted fresh blood, and not just a little.

This wasn't good.

She was yelling again, louder now. "Someone's hurt over here!" Her voice broke. "Please? We need help!"

The panic sounded wrong on her lips. If only I could move, I'd wipe her fears away. Through the blood and the pain, I made myself croak out, "Stop."

She leaned close. "Stop what?"

I tried to smile, but I don’t think I did. Somehow, I managed to murmur, "Stop yelling."

Her hand, still on mine, grew suddenly stiff. She paused. "Then I'll be right back." She made a move to pull away.

No.

She couldn’t go. Not until I warned her. If something happened – if I didn't make it or if she took off and ran – there was something she needed to know. I summoned up all my strength and made a grab for her wrist. When my fingers closed around it, I held on tight. "Don't tell," I said.

She hesitated. "Don't tell what?"

"Anything. Whatever you saw, it didn't happen."

When she said nothing, I tried again. "Stairs. Fell down 'em. No big deal." Something sliced across my insides, and I tried not to lose it. When it sliced again, I rolled onto my side and clutched my stomach. Still, I managed to grit out, "Be fine in a minute."

But I wasn't fine. When the next spasm hit, everything grew dark.

Chapter 4