Page 32 of Dear Mr. Vampire

“No, no. He was alone.”

“Car accident, is he—” I didn’t want to say it.

“He’s still alive, but it’s bad. The state trooper said he ran into a semitrailer truck. It’s really terrible. He’s in ICU. Morgan is with him. She’s upset. I’ve never seen her like this before. That’s why I have her phone. I had to let you know. I don’t know if you can come to the hospital, but Morgan is really in bad shape. I didn’t know if I should call you or not. It just seemed like the right thing to do.”

“No, of course you call me.”

“I don’t know where you are. I just know you moved away.”

“I did, but you can always call me.”

“She’s really out of it. We don’t know if he’s going to make it. I really don’t know what to do. Craig’s family is here. I’m here with Morgan at the hospital.”

“Don’t worry. I’m going to come. What hospital?”

“Silver Cross over on 95thin Evergreen Park.”

“I’m going to get there as soon as I can. It will be a few hours.” It was more than a few, but I didn’t need to burden him with my distance.

“I’ll tell Morgan. Coco, honestly, the way things are going. I don’t think he’s going to make it.”

“You pray for him and I’ll pray for him.”

“Ah, ah, right.” His voiced cracked.

“And pray for your sister, too. Pray for her strength.”

“I will.”

“I’m leaving soon. It’s going to take me awhile to get there. Just make sure her phone is charged up. Tell her I’m coming.”

“Okay. Thanks Coco.”

Mitchell ended the call while I held the phone and tried to process all the information that was given to me while my brain wasn’t fully awake. I felt Zand’s eyes on me. I looked over and he was sitting up in bed, watching me. His back was against the headboard. Those eyes were staring deep into me, but not judging me.

“Did you hear my call?”

“Yeah.”

“I have to go back. My best friend’s boyfriend was in a car accident. It’s a really bad accident. He’s in ICU.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Soon.”

“Do you need to find a flight?”

“No, I’m going to drive. It’s only about six hours. I’m going to pack really quickly and shower.”

“Okay, I’ll drive you. We can take my car.”

I stopped staring off into space to regard him carefully. Had he just invited himself on my road trip?I think so. I think he did.

“You don’t have to come with me. I will probably be there for a few days.”

“I can’t let you drive that far alone.”

“You have an entire club to run. I may be gone for a few days.”

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