Page 45 of Save Me

“Is she in this room? The one that’s locked?” I heard Keelan say before I heard banging. “Shiloh!”

I didn’t move. I didn’t respond. I just lay there with my cheek resting on the cold wood floor. I was completely numb, inside and out.

“There’s blood on the floor in her bedroom,” I heard Knox say just before my closet door was ripped open and I saw his shoes. “I found her!” he shouted and rushed in. He knelt next to me. “Shiloh?”

“Go away,” I whispered.

He moved some of my hair away from my face and let out a curse. “What happened?”

“Please, go away,” I whispered again.

“Where are you?” Colt yelled from my bedroom before the closet door was opened wider. “Is she alright?”

I could hear his worry and it took away some of the numbness. Fresh tears filled my eyes.

“Colt, take Creed and go get the first aid kit from home,” Knox ordered.

“Why do we both have to go?” I heard Creed ask. “Is she alright? I want to see her.”

“Damnit!” Knox roared. “Do as I say and go.”

“Come on,” Colt said, and I heard footsteps retreating.

“What can I do?” I heard Keelan ask.

“Just keep them back.”

“She’s their girlfriend, Knox,” Keelan said.

“That doesn’t fucking matter right now,” Knox snapped and shifted to sit next to me. He brushed more of my hair away from my face. “Shiloh.” His voice took on a gentleness I couldn’t stand.

I closed my eyes. “Please, go.”

“You know I can’t do that. You’re pretty banged up.”

I don’t care.

“How did this happen?” he asked.

“I fell.”

“Did you lose consciousness?”

I opened my eyes and tears rolled out. “If it was more than just a cut, I think it would have killed me by now.”

Knox was quiet for a few breaths. “Were you hoping that would happen? Is that why you came in here instead of getting it looked at?”

I’d come in here because I needed to feel safe, but what did it matter?

“Shiloh,” he admonished.

“I don’t want to care anymore.” More tears leaked from my eyes. “So please, just go.”

“You’re giving up?”

“I’m wondering why I didn’t do it sooner,” I admitted. “Why did I fight so hard to escape him? He killed them. I had nothing left.”

“You wanted to live.”