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She hears anyway She finally seems to realize it’s me She’s limp in my arms, twists her head to look at led and plastered to her forehead “Colton? Oh god…god You weren’t supposed to follow er billows out of me “What the fk, Nell? Why’d you run? I love you You think I wouldn’t—wouldn’t…shit…what did you think I’d say?”
She pounds my shoulder with a weak fist “It’s what you did say A baby is the last thing you wanted And that’s what I was going to have A baby A fking baby”
“No, Nell No That’s not what I said I said a pregnancy is the last thing we need I did not say a baby is the last thing I wanted And regardless, running was…so wrong You’re mine The baby would—would have been mine I’d take care of you I’ll always take care of you” I’ as I carry Nell across the field, stu over roots and branches and hillocks “I’ up atwet in theonto me “I’m sorry I’m sorry I was just so scared I’m scared, Colt”
It’s the first tiot you You’ll be okay”
“No…no It’s not okay I lost the baby, Colton” Her voice hitches, breaks
“I know…” so does mine “I know”
“I didn’t want a baby I didn’t want to be a ed to not be pregnant all the way here But—but I didn’t mean this I swear I didn’t want this I’
She’s lost a lot of blood I’s are jelly I ran so far, so fast, and I’ht now, pure deter in the darkness
Then the yello of the Hawthorne’s backyard appears and I’ers Rachel Hawthorne is frantic, begging, de to knohat happened Jim Hawthorne is on the phone
“Colt, what happened?” Rachel’s voice froo of her, can’t She’s unconscious Still bleeding on s ?” Jie—” It’s all I can nant? With your baby?” He’s even angrier now
“I didn’t…didn’t know She didn’t tell me She ran Came here…” I look down at her lovely, slack face “Please, Nell Wake up Wake up”
She doesn’t wake up Her head lolls to one side, her hand falls free and swings She’s barely breathing…or not at all
Blue-gloved hands take her froht theher, harder hands, tooin uy from EMS
His eyes are brown and hard, but compassionate Sound returns “…Gonna be okay, Colton She’s lost a lot of blood, but you got her help in time I need you calm or I’ll have to have you detained and you won’t do Nell any good like that”