Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 96404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“But when I was walking back to my car, someone tapped my shoulder and pointed to the right without really looking at me. He was running in the middle of the pouring rain and he had earbuds in, so he didn’t hear me when I thanked him. He didn’t notice that I stood there, staring, thinking maybe this town wouldn’t be as bad as the others.” I gulp down the lump that has formed in the back of my throat. “That someone was you. It was a random show of compassion, but for a newbie in town who knew no one and was clueless, it meant a lot more than you’d think.”
He’s silent for a second and if it weren’t for the irregular rhythm of his breathing, I’d believe he’d fallen asleep or something.
“You probably don’t even recall that moment,” I blurt. “But…do you know why you did it?”
“Did what?”
“Pointed a stranger in the right direction. You lack empathy, so you shouldn’t have stopped to help.”
“I didn’t stop to help.”
“You tapped my shoulder and helped.”
“I probably saw something in you.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Just like I don’t know why I stopped and stared at you that day. Maybe all of those things led to how we got together.”
“You think?”
“I’m sure. After all, you watched me as much as I watched you. Did you have a crush on me, baby?”
“No!”
“Defensive, Tsundere. How about you be honest for once?”
“It’s just that whenever I saw you the other times, I thought of the feelings I’d had on that day. It was oddly relieving and safe.”
“Then I came along and crushed those feelings?” There’s an exhausted hoarseness in his voice, and while I love the natural edge of it, it’s abnormal.
“Not really.”
“Do you mean to tell me you still feel relieved and safe?”
“To a degree, yes. The way you came after me with sheer determination scared the shit out of me. Our relationship and depraved chases terrified me, too, but I do feel safe with you. If I didn’t, I would’ve ended it a long time ago.”
“Mmm…I…like that…” he trails off, his voice losing its raspiness and turning weak.
I sit up carefully and his hand lies limp on my shoulder, not even attempting to stop me. “Sebastian?”
“Mmm..?”
I gently touch his abdomen, then trace a path up to his cheek. I stiffen when his hot skin meets mine. Holy shit. He’s burning up.
Fever is totally bad. He could have an infection or something worse.
I feel up his neck and face that’s lolled to the side, his chapped lips slightly parting. “Sebastian, can you hear me?”
He releases an absentminded noise but doesn’t stir.
“Sebastian! Open your eyes!”
He remains in the same position. I check under the T-shirt that’s against his shoulder and breathe out a sigh of relief when I don’t feel any stickiness. Although he’s still no longer bleeding, the fever could mean something worse.
Tendrils of malevolent fear snap around my ribcage and worst-case scenarios play in my head.
God, no.
Please don’t take him away.
Please. I would do anything.
Fresh tears fill my lids as I feel for the bottle of water, pour some on the shirt, then place it on his forehead.
I continue calling his name, although he’s still not moving, and he seems to be getting warmer, not colder.
I drink some water, then brush my lips against his chapped ones, trying to get him to take a sip, even if it’s only a little one.
The sound of his swallow is like music to my ears. At least he’s staying a little hydrated.
But even I know that if he doesn’t get medical help soon, he won’t be able to survive.
I continue brushing my lips against his, attempting to get him to drink as much water as possible. When he’s no longer swallowing, I pull back and check his pulse in his neck.
Fat tears cascade down my cheeks at the dim pulse beneath my fingers.
I can almost hear the life leaving him, and the most dooming part is that I can’t do anything to stop or even slow it down.
Placing both palms on his neck, I lower my head. “Sebastian…please, baby…please open your eyes, please…I can’t…I can’t live without you anymore. I don’t want to imagine it, so please…please stay with me…”
A low grunt leaves his throat and I straighten, sniffling. “Sebastian..?”
“You…called me…baby…”
I smile at the amusement in his voice, allowing the salty tears inside my mouth. “I’ll call you anything you want. Just stay with me.”
“Baby…” he grunts.
“Yes?”
“Marry…me.”
“Huh?”
“When…we get out…of here. Marry…me.”
I scoff through my tears.
This is crazy.
We’re crazy.
But if there’s anything I’ve learned through this whole thing, it’s that nothing lasts forever. Our fates have been connected for three years, even though we’ve watched each other from afar.
What we have happens once in a lifetime and it’s pointless to fight it anymore.
“Okay. I’ll marry you.”
“You can’t change your…mind…once we survive.”