Page 52 of Tangled in His Game

Victor stares at me, his eyes filled with worry and panic. Whoa, of all the things I thought I would see when I died, I didn’t expect Victor to be there. That’s so weird.

And we’re on the move. He’s running with me in his arms.

“Help!” he yells.

It’s dark again. And cold. I shiver.

Then there are lights again, and I have to squint.

Someone puts something over my face, and I can breathe again. Or maybe I’ve been breathing this whole time, but my chest hurts less now.

I’m lying on something... and there are people moving around. A stretcher? An ambulance?

“Can I come with her? Please.” Victor asks, and I want to smile because he has such an innocent, sweet boy look that it’s impossible to say no to him. “I’m her boyfriend.”

“Okay, fine,” someone I can’t see responds.

Victor climbs into the ambulance next to me, taking my hand. I stare at him. Is this whole thing a dream? What is he doing? And why did he just say he was my boyfriend?

Let me guess. He set the library on fire but didn’t expect me to actually almost die? Maybe he thought I’d call for help, but he probably knows the signal is shit in there for some reason.

And he knew I was still stuck in there. If he set the fire, he knew I’d be in danger. So what the fuck? Was it just to scare me and show me that he would actually kill me if he felt like it? Is he now with me to make sure I don’t say anything to the cops?

I’m more confused than ever, and I don’t think it’s only because of all the smoke I inhaled. Victor caresses my fingers. I want to ask him what he’s doing, but I can’t because of the oxygen mask over my face, and now’s not the right time anyway.

Everything feels so strange, and maybe Victor isn’t really here. Maybe it’s someone else and I’m seeing things. I can’t trust my eyes right now. All I know is that I’m alive.

***

IT’S REALLY HIM. IT’Sreally Victor. As I rest in my hospital bed, I can see him in the hallway. He’s always lurking and talking to the nurses, but he doesn’t come in. Then my parents show up, and he’s gone.

“Honey, are you okay?” My mom’s teary eyes look me up and down as she runs her fingers through my hair. “I should’ve texted you before going to sleep. I would’ve realized something was up.”

“Mom, I’m fine. Really. It’s not your fault. I was studying and I dozed off,” I say.

My dad stops pacing up and down the room and meets my gaze. “But what happened? Where was everyone? How did they just leave you locked in there? It makes no sense!”

“I don’t know.” I have no idea what’s going to happen next, but I don’t have to say anything just yet until I find out more.

If there’s any evidence against Victor and it doesn’t magically disappear, then the cops will get him. But if not and I blame him, only I will suffer the consequences.

“Who was that boy who saved you?” my mom asks. “I want to find him and thank him. The nurse said he was your boyfriend, but she must’ve misunderstood something.”

Oh, it was just my wannabe murderer.

My nemesis.

My bully.

“I don’t remember,” I lie. “My classmate, I think.”

“He’s a very brave boy. I heard he ran into the fire and got out with you. He risked his own life.” She squeezes my hand.

If only she knew the truth. Victor is no hero. Is that what he wants, though? For everyone to think he’s my big savior? Is social media already full of overblown stories about his heroics?

But once again, I don’t have my phone. It was probably destroyed in the fire, along with my bag.

I should ask Victor to pay me for all the damage he’s done, but if I do that, will he try to kill me once again? I really need to have less empathy for him and stop hoping there’s a good guy somewhere inside his cold, hard shell.

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