PROLOGUE
I stare down at his moon lit face, worried.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK68M3Xksqg
He's shaking underneath my grasp.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroljWalDv9
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBOWwjJLUv
"Livia," he says. His voice is soft.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfH3oaKIEB
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKdjDRjMZy
I run the palm of my hand down his cheek, feeling the cold tears that have managed to escape without me knowing.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yeFvfOQ6G
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6YTnlGDOp
I smile bitterly.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjbNSQApz8
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCE3JOqiM9
"It's alright now Jere." I kiss his eyelid lightly as more tears threatened to fall. I tasted the salt.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDFVZANZak
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mHYymQ5eU
"Liv," he calls again, his voice wavering this time.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVDK3jnPkr
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBnkZibe2e
I continue to stroke his cheek, trying to ignore the amount of blood coming from his side, where I press my free hand onto.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC3NmNSuse
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaJwFPRmBV
"Just breathe Jere, are you still breathing? In and out just like I told you."1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdAhvpNxKz
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAjNQR4jgW
He struggles to take staggering breaths, obeying me.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dRu5UWkxK
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Uk0a4IxHT
I look around, seeing if the ambulance had arrived yet. Faintly I heard sirens, but they still sounded far off.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmxpTW1GJI
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq8Lda6oui
I allow myself to drop my calm charade and panic a little. Jere's forehead is beaded in sweat. The life in his eyes that once blazed brightly is now dark and sullen.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNox1BJC0Z
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefdgTSFnqk
I'm scared of how his each breath seem to grow more difficult then the next.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPMlLZKOLW
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ok1jteS9R
I'm scared to look down at my bloodied hand, which determined his lifeline.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHZVuKeL2u
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkbdcH1rkp
I'm scared my Jere will drift off if I don't keep him awake.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2bWp8l8b3
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNQ9fUFLxN
I must at all cost keep him awake.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46tNdkBJ3j
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkICGJGO5I
"Livia, how long?" He manages to croak out. "How long do I have to wait?"1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3U8Oj710Q
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48YhyU2ude
Feigning a smile I continue my charade.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXKtGUfe7h
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N44LhWg6s
"Not that long baby I promise."1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZguWJGOKHv
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM93HjvEJI
Any other human being would have passed out by now, unlike my Jere.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsFn67wuQ4
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGRG0VhSfL
My Jere laughs, somehow managing the energy to do so.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1Vg2VhtbD
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoQVaOBWJu
He then breaks into coughing spasms from exerting himself too much.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dy2dipqKN
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uAQY3J9r1
But he continues to laugh, not knowing how to stop.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hb8EomvTd
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLhr5QnDcB
"I'm going to die aren't I?" He laughs.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fREvpahRR
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCqDG6fbcS
I frown at him.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvnLzWUfed
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0C78VsPIe
"Don't say that."1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tZ2dxMSPk
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTyAcGFIE1
He laughs hysterically now then coughs up blood in response.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaGlTWpL3V
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFZb1El5uA
I gasp.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s6jMnmQS3
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjaKYLTF1s
"Jere stop!"1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ2xq6fboq
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3zyNt3ooY
He goes on.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcjbC2zjgi
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0QnXraDbw
"I'm better off dead anyway. I've always wondered what it would be like." He says this all dream like, his eyes narrowing.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PbicBwum7
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtYtNIYywc
Forgetting all about being calm, tears stream down my face, as I yell at him frustratingly.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9Sk9E8NGR
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IuekJ3FFt
"Jere stop it you're not going to die! I won't let you!"1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfEnDlIaTv
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJUyHm1meP
Jere chuckles a little but his eyes don't. He stares up at me bitterly and reaches to brush away my tears.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1lm4rDYGy
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d1DUviNOb
"Don't laugh." I tell him again softly.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUR8F5yQJV
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcnEfLMxpY
"I won't."1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMmqBPEkNT
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdIs9HYH6M
He obeys, watching me soberly.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmCKEHPp6W
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HGqLgC5YX
"I don't want to leave you." Jere says in a barely audible voice.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9owSIEsR7
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaeIlEKfdT
All the laughing has put him in an even worse condition than before.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP1U4Lm9w2
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2F1mll1cS
I don't even try to hide my distress face from him anymore.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ar5WEGLft
Specks of blood covers his daunt face from his coughing spasms earlier.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMK4R2wmEd
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vZ7urWio8
His already weak body sinks heavily into me while I try to keep him comfortable.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz2KzRhJlX
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT8LDZofsK
"Livia. I don't want you to leave me," he says a bit louder.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kTD0Usz65
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXLd5Dn5or
"Shhh I know baby, just don't leave me okay?"1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTn7v9pcWr
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYypoYWgt7
He tries to nod but he can't.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4T57fVXVM
He continues to try but I hold him steady so he wouldn't overdo himself again.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGfKGBhqjy
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wYwKSOKcR
I look into those beautiful, moss green eyes that I love so much.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtU2fTAC68
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OelojEdNu
He looks up into mine.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpCIwKiQu2
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj1flZfXVX
"Don't leave me." He whispers.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d54PjryHt
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvsywoospG
"Stay awake." I tell him.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TJZPitRnQ
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5jqjxmIzT
"I'm tired, how long?" He asks.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHa72Yt5LI
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKaUjCxUXv
The siren lights are visible now. They'll be here in any moment.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vtZH2nMrn
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJw1Fims3D
"You're almost there baby, just hang on okay?"1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ990nfRN50T
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADXZRnDXkq
He doesn't reply.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8no2RouRAy
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbPQ1MckQC
I hurriedly check if he's still breathing. It's shallow now, faint.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT1Q2fQfkQ
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYjRJsuxo0
Looking at him, I lay my hand on his cheek again and gently swipe my thumb across it. His eyes are nearly closed.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp7nq3Z365
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSLdOMi8IZ
"Jere, answer me. Jere!"1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPb9H0cBiU
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtdAlF0keO
His eyes open slightly at the desperation in my voice, ready to obey but unable to find the energy to comply.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wfWddShhU
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35zD3gBadN
"Stay awake." I told him softly.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GX77sC89l
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBAS78A9qU
"I will." His mouth reads, but he closes his eyes anyway. He's smiles briefly as I struggled to see through my tears.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdl5Jm3bne
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFdp6l8KrT
"Kiss," he whispers inaudibly.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmTdop9zGX
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGgpIQNgph
I shake my head not knowing whether to laugh at his corniness right now or cry.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2HPslfCnr
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxGH9T54Mo
"Kiss me," he repeats.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUNKiiU5Wg
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gCohQVSAc
I don't waste time, I need to keep him awake until the ambulance gets here.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuwXvlJ3sy
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiTLoglvzM
With one hand still holding his wound, I use my free hand to cradle his face.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu3TVY7zEc
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2802xTIhqd
His eyes open briefly before I dropped my lips down on his.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3PrzmaKDH
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe7P6zgPHZ
I kiss him gently, ignoring the metallic taste of blood.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBINF4UYAy
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uoeQS9hb3
Using energy I didn't believe was still in him, he wraps one arm around me and deepens the kiss.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmeXdvKIcF
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzaJJY6vay
He passionately draws me in, almost making me forget that he was still in pain for a second.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPn9Pmg76y
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJWjleOggF
Electricity races through me and lingers.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cKB1iUdko
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7DwKq3bhy
I cling to him for dear life, knowing that I can never let go.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoCitnY9Q7
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavlq66QZqu
But reality hits me hard when his tug on my lips slows.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC79hLKxeh8
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPxfMGWtl3
I can literally feel all the energy drain out of him as we break apart.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgZQYqYT69
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bgffRF3Fu
He suddenly goes limp in my arms.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJtA1LCWeC
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZxOD6v1xh
"Jere?" I call to him as my eyes widened.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipbzsqCUDC
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTBVvXcwzi
"Jeremy?"1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bOnWjMQjh
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirD59SpDpz
I shake my head, not believing.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj2cc7A1HQ
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9u1F0RnH7
"Jere, talk to me, Jere?"1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8URSTbTtIg
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10WI1oDUIG
Soon the ambulance pulls up in front of me in mass heaps.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRso6hyiv6c
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh8ffaYbjc
The siren noises was deafening, but I was too numb all over to hear, or feel what was going on around me.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO5qoiDtDq
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcESSrRzFU
I have no chance to react before Jeremy's limp body is taken away from me.1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VfFodwNn5
1042Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXLOkZNsk4
