Page 126 of Redeeming the Villain

No. No. No. No. No. No.

NO! NO! NO!

This can’t be real; this can’t be happening.

But the longer I stand still and deny it, the longer I’m away from him when he needs me most.

Everything around us shifts into chaos, and my world goes up in flames.

A scream tears through the sound barrier, and it takes me a moment to realize that it’s coming from me. But the moment it clicks, reality snaps back into place.

Glass shards decorate the pavement as I push myself to my feet, my entire body numb. A roar of heat pulses to my right, and I turn my head to it, blinking rapidly to clear my vision.

When I squint my eyes, the orange blur shifts into hungry flames, lapping at the oxygen around the burning car.

What happened?

His purple eyes appear in my mind, and my heart drops. Micah.

A wail tears through me, his name a prayer howling through the air around me. “Micah!”

I’m running before I realize it, my legs carrying me to where Micah lies twenty feet away, face down on the pavement. My ragged voice and cries fill the street as I throw myself to the ground beside him.

“Micah! Micah! Micah! Hey, buddy, it’s okay!” I reassure him, gently grabbing his shoulders and rolling him over.

He winces, moaning in pain. “Malik …”

Tears blur my vision as I scoop his head into my lap, and his eyelashes flutter as he looks up at me with wide eyes.

“I’m right here. I’m right here, Micah. Just stay with me.”

I can’t tear my gaze from his. I can’t call out for help. I’m useless. Weak. All I can do is hold him.

Sobs bubble out of me as he lifts his hand and cups my cheek. I mirror his movement, lifting my hand from his chest and resting it on his small jaw.

What is that? Ice cream?

A dribble of something dark falls from the corner of his mouth, and I wipe it with my thumb. It smears across his soft skin, and I gasp as tears stream down my face.

It’s blood.

“Malik?” Micah’s soft voice is somehow even quieter.

“Yeah, buddy?” I ask, sniffling and hyperventilating.

“I’m cold …” His voice shakes as his bottom lip quivers.

Wrapping him up in my arms, I pull him against me, resting his face on my chest, hugging him tightly. “Is this better?”

He nods against me, and I cradle the back of his head with my hand, feeling wetness squish between my fingers.

Rocking back and forth, I soothe him like I used to when he was a baby. “It’s okay. It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay.” My voice is raw and jagged.

Tilting my head back, I look up at the sky, my face wretched and twisted. “Please, if there’s a god or someone out there …” I heave. “Please don’t take him from me. Please.” Rocking back and forth, I cradle him tighter. “He’s all I have. Please don’t take him. I can’t surive without him.”

Cupping his face, I lean down and press my forehead against his, and my tears fall to his face.

Slamming my eyes closed, I sob. “I love you, Micah. I love you so much. I’m so sorry … I’m so sorry!”

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