Page 32 of One Love

She heads toward the corner and I follow, defending my cluelessness. “I have had a lot on my mind.”

“That’s for sure,” she calls over her shoulder as she looks left and right. “I’m looking for a black Focus. Do you—”

Madison’s voice fades as a figure dashes out and liquid splashes on me, hitting my chest and neck. “Stupid bitch.”

I hear Madison calling my name as an intense, searing pain burns my neck.

“Are you okay? Devin? Devin?”

I hear her calling my name, but the only thing I can think about is the fact my neck feels like it’s on fire.

“It burns,” I shout as the pain intensifies and panic runs rampant through my veins. “Madison. Oh my God. It burns! It burns!” My heart races in my chest, and I can’t get a handle on it. Black spots form in the corners of my eyes, and I hear Madison scream just before I feel the hard cement of the sidewalk under me. “Someone call 911!”