Page 161 of Inside the Sun

The bitterness just wants to pour out, but I force myself to stay composed. I don't want it to touch him; Summer doesn't deserve it.

So, to spare him, I turn around and walk out of his room without another word. I don’t have the strength to deal with this right now.

But one thing is clear.

Whether I like it or not, this overwhelming sense of bliss and relief crashes over me too. He’s alive… and that’s good. So unbelievably good.

It looks like no matter how badly Ragnar hurt me, he didn’t manage to kill what I feel for him.

And the truth is, I’m terrified I feel way more than I should. Which just adds one more tragedy to the pile I’m already drowning in.

RAGNAR

I open my eyes and see the cold hospital room lights above me. I blink, trying to focus my vision.

What’s going on? Why am I in the hospital? For a moment, a wave of confusion washes over me.

"Oh dear Fate, he opened his eyes!" I hear my dad’s voice, and a second later, his pale face appears in my field of vision. His golden eyes are full of worry.

"I always knew that damn motorcycle would be the death of you!"

No, not that again. I wince, surprised that nothing actually hurts when I make that grimace.

But in that sentence, he gave me the answer to why I’m in the hospital.

An accident.

Fuck.

With some effort, I try to remember exactly what happened. The fog in my brain starts to lift, and I begin to piece together how I ended up here. I vaguely remember speeding like a lunatic, trying to outrun something. Trying to clear my head, maybe. But the image is way too hazy, I’m not even sure what really took place.

In any case, I need to defend my bike.

"It wasn’t the bike’s fault. Just my stupidity. And the speed," I mutter.

Unfortunately, the speed didn’t wipe anything out for good. As I blink and wrestle with my sluggish body, some pretty clear memories start to surface. I remember what happened the day before the crash all too well, and the image is still there, sharp as a blade.

"Oh, Ragnar, I was so worried when they called. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare."

What can I say? I fumble with my words, trying to reset myself to this new reality.

"What’s with the bike… wrecked?"

My father snorts, but Dad responds, "No, not that much. Your friend Hunter called on your phone just a couple hours ago. We picked up and told him about the accident. He came by, but you were still unconscious. He said he’ll take care of the bike."

Hunter came here? That’s good news. I’m almost shocked, but it’s a nice gesture that he wants to help with the bike. He’s into motorcycles too, though not as intensely as I am. Still, it’s a relief he’ll take care of it.

There’s a moment of silence.

But then there’s something I just have to say. Right now. Before I let myself overthink and start questioning everything I am.

"I’m taking Summer out of there, Dad," I blurt, no warning, no lead-up.

Dad’s face freezes.

"What? You just had a serious injury, don't—"

"I think Moon is safe from Anzo, and I can look for him when I’m already outside. But Summer isn’t safe. So you guys need to start getting ready. Wrap up everything. Two weeks, max, and we disappear."

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