Page 111 of The Rowdy Ones

“…likely a collapsed lung…”

Stars twirl around me and I pass out.

Destiny.

I need Destiny.

“Shhh,” a sweet voice croons, squeezing my hand. “I’m here.”

I’m unable to see her because each time we hit a bump, the pain is excruciating and blinding, but I can hear her. She’s here.

Her hand feels hot inside my cold one and oh-so small. I ache to rewind back to earlier. I’m unable to figure out what happened or why. My brain can’t seem to make sense of anything.

All I remember is Destiny beneath me.

Loving her.

Kissing her.

Fucking her.

Is this all about to end?

Sadness settles deep in my bones. Tears continue to stream from my eyes. When a sob rattles out of me, it sends me into another vicious coughing fit that makes me black out.

I’m flying.

Weeeeee.

I remember the first time Dad took me flying. He held me above his head and I pretended to flap my wings. It was exciting. And now, I can feel the air dancing over me as we rush by.

My cracked eyelids allow me to focus on one thing. A vending machine. It’s the same one from so long ago. I remember the big dent on one side.

I’m back there.

The place where death tried to steal me.

A hospital in town.

No.

I try to suck in air, but I can’t. An inhuman groan rattles deep within and then I thrash like a fish on the riverbank. Just like the fish, I can’t fucking breathe.

“Ma’am, wait over there,” someone bites out. “You’re in the way!”

“Rowdy! Rowdy! Don’t leave me!”

Destiny’s voice grows smaller and smaller. I convulse, unable to take a calming breath. It’s all too much.

People are trying to help me, but I don’t understand what’s happening or what they’re saying. All I know is I’m shoved under bright lights while I suffocate right in front of them.

I’m shoved this way and that way, all the pains deep inside me screaming for me. Darkness steals over me, but this time it feels final. Like if I allow it, I won’t come back from it.

And I need to.

God, I need to.

Destiny needs me and I need her.