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Until that moment, I think shock and panic for news about Liam had shut off the part of h specifics of what had happened If Cole had been alive when they brought the Red in If he kneas going on, if he had been afraid, if he felt the pain But so the news; the fli the pain out bowed in and then exploded into a shower of splinters that cut through every part of ainstMy friend--Cole--how could this--why did it have to be like this? After everything, why did it have to end like this? We were going to do so--for the first ti for the phone, but I tore away froer and pain, like someone had thrown acid on my skin I had to keep this connection to Liaony of knowing that was as sharp as the loss itself I couldn’t lose Liam, too
"What do you one Lia "I couldn’t get him out"
"No," I said, voice hoarse, "of course you couldn’t There was no way and he wouldn’t have wanted you to try if it ot you, too Liam, it doesn’t--it doesn’t feel this way now, but you did the right thing"
The sound of hirip on the phone relaxed asChubs to finally pry the phone away from me
"Buddy Buddy, I know, I’m so sorry Can you et you?" He s his eyes shut "Okay I want you to tell , but you have to do it in person You have to let us take care of you Slon, it’s okay--"
Chubs cast a helpless lookback, I can’t--it’s--"
I interrupted hiet you, but you have to tell me where you are Are you hurt?"
"Ruby--" He sucked in a harsh breath I could iine him then, exactly as he must have been Still in his Op blacks, his left forearainst the pay phone’s aluminum shell, his face flushed and wild It broke htly I heard its cheap plastic shell creak Spinning so I was facing the corner and not the gallery of faces looking at me, I dropped to a crouch in the far corner of the roo to be okay--"
"It’s not okay!" he shouted "Stop saying that! It’s not! I’ back I have to tell Harry and--and Moed
"I can’t co of nausea that had been growing, twistingwave His voice see off, I don’t have any more money"
"Liam? Can you hear me?" Panic hit me like a swarm of wasps in my head