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I reached into the pocket of Liam’s jacket and pushed the panic button Twenty seconds clicked by, each one feeling longer than the last It gave a little vibration, a little acknowledgainst ry by the second I wanted to call him back to us, to have him next to Chubs, because I was sure this was it I was sure he was going to die right there in my arms, less than twenty-four hours after he had savedfor him other than hold him

"Do not die," I whispered "You cannot die You have to take calculus and go to football gaes and you absolutely cannot die You can’t--you can’t--"

I detached completely A fauely aware of Liahtened around Chubs’s chest I heard feet shuffling against the loose asphalt outside; all I could smell was smoke and blood All I could hear was my own heartbeat

That’s when the door across froan to cry, really cry

"Oh, Ruby," she said, anguished "Ruby"

"Please help him," I sobbed "Please!"

Two pairs of hands reached in to lift me out My arms were still wrapped around Chubs I couldn’t ainst whoever was trying to pull us apart

"Ruby, sweetheart," Cate said, suddenly next to o now"

I had made a mistake This was a mistake I never should have called them A terrible noise filled the air, and it wasn’t until Lia me back, his ar the entire ti, useless hunk of o with you," I heard Liao with you We’ll do whatever you want"

"No," I cried "No!"

Lia me steady, but I felt the way his arms shook We watched them load Chubs’s still form into the back of one of the SUVs, and the door had barely shut before it tore off down the highway Chubs’s blood was still war every second, and it made me want to crawl out of it

"Please," Lia "Calht here"

There was a pinch on the back ofa breath All at once, I felt s, the i in and out of focus Lee? I wanted to say, but ue was too heavy So lifted--up, up into the air, like ht I could grow up and fly

And then the real darkness came

THIRTY-ONE

IT WAS THE COLD WATER THAT WOKE ME, ht," she was saying "Ruby You’re gonna be fine" I’ with her sweet little BS, but it wasn’tmy nose with a memory that felt both ancient and new Which was it?