Ashfo

around the bubble of my fading consciousness. My leg was a distant e

in my ears, their

!" Ethan's voice, tight with p

reply was a weak, theatrical sob

I could picture his face, the harsh lines softened with a concern h

arrying

t was crushing my leg. So close I could smell the faint,

e of dust at the bottom of my chest. But su

d been ripped from my shoulder, but

inside the leather, my bloody fingers search

erweb of cracks, but

hout thinking. Muscle memory. Ethan's face. Speed dial. I press

er. Please,

d the vibration. A muff

ed in an

"helpful," "considerate." "Maybe it

n wait," he muttered. But then there wa

painful, pierced

hrough the dust, I saw the faint glow of his pho

something crossed his face. Not concern.

e for me first. The audacity. His arrogant mind couldn't conceive of any other rea

ed the r

the words "Call Ended"

ble up, but it turne

fallen bricks to move faster. He put his foot on a lar

nchpin. The one piece holding a preca

ick sh

r, thick as my thumb, slid down through the concrete. It

the side of my neck, a phantom kiss of death, b

scent of rust filled my nostrils. One more

sband, the man who had just unknow

a looked over his shoulder. Her eyes, filled not with pain but with som

the rebar at my thro

he sm

cret, triumphant curve of her lips. A smi

smile of

e open. This wasn't just neglect. This wasn't an a

through the chaos. A high

gn reading! It's strong! Get o

past Ethan, their movements professional a

em run toward the pile of rubble he'd just abandoned. But Mia whimpered in his arms,

scue that was meant for me a

to save my life. My hu

reen. With a trembling thumb, I tapped into his contact

vered over t

esse

box popped up.

e

my grasp, the cracked s

ough the grime on my cheek as m