Page 48 of The Stranger

“Oh my god. They’re both alive. Both of them,” the woman announces, and suddenly more hands are on me. There are voices all around me, and I’m being poked and prodded and warmed.

Saved.

I’m being saved.

I look up to where Lori is standing, and even though I can’t see her face clearly, I know she’s looking at me. I can feel her horrified, furious stare burning holes into me, and I know exactly how she must feel.

The world goes dark and I realize I’ve closed my eyes without meaning to. I’m beginning to drift off when I feel Walker’s hand on my chest, bringing me back.

I open my eyes again, trying to find focus, and when I zero in on Lori once more, I feel a grin spread to my lips. Despite the pain still coursing through me, the grin on my lips is a cocky one. It’s the kind of grin that says this night isn’t going to go the way she thought it would after all.

She thought she’d won. She thought she had her story and plan all laid out. She was convincing, almost convincing enough, but there was one thing she didn’t count on. One thing that will be her downfall. She has no idea how stubborn I am. It’s always been my superpower. And right now, I’m just stubborn enough to survive. Turns out Walker is, too.

As if he can read my mind, Walker slowly slides his hand down my side and takes my hand in his. I glance over at him, and he smiles with his eyes closed. Weakly, he whispers, “Stubborn…ass.”

I squeeze his hand gently just before I watch them lift and place him carefully onto a stretcher.

“You’re going to be okay,” the woman sitting next to me whispers, brushing the hair back from my face as I feel them begin to lift me next.

Yes, I think, looking only at Lori. It’s a promise. A vow. She underestimated just how stubborn I can be. Yes, I’m going to be just fine.