Stay(117)

More shots rang out, pinging off the tailgate. Something splattered on the windshield. For a split second I thought we had hit something. Then I realized the blood was on the inside of the SUV.

“Jackson,” I screamed and twisted my body.

His eyes were wide with shock. He leaned forward. Then the pain set in. His hand flew to his left shoulder, pressing on the bullet wound. Lights grew brighter in front of us. A car honked. I turned back around and saw that we were just feet from the intersection.

Everything slowed down in that second. The metallic smell of Jackson’s blood filled the air. The brake pedal squeaked when I pressed it down and the tires squealed. The back end of the SUV fishtailed. The lights to my right were so bright. I closed my eyes and could hear my heart pounding in my head.

And then we crashed.





CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE





THE BLAZER CONTINUED forward, diving down a ditch. The front smashed into the ground, deploying the airbags. It covered my face and felt like I was suffocating. The SUV tipped to the side. My head cracked on the window. An instant wave of nausea gripped me, and my ears rang.

Powder from the airbag burned my nose, choking me. Pain radiated along my temple. I felt a warm tingle run down my spine. My eyes were too heavy to keep open. They closed on their own accord, and I lost consciousness.

The heavy smell of gasoline brought me back. The SUV was lying on its side. I struggled to shove the airbag away. “Jackson,” I cried. “Jackson!”

His body flopped over, held in place by the seat belt. Dark red blood dripped down his chest. His eyes were open, but he wasn’t moving.

“Jackson!” I screamed again. I clawed at my seat belt. My fingers were numb, but I somehow managed to press the button and released the belt. “Jackson,” I repeated. Tears blurred my already fuzzy vision. I reached out and touched his arm. He still didn’t move.

Pain began to register in my brain. My head throbbed, and my legs hurt. I manically flailed about, trying to get my legs up from under the steering wheel. I twisted and grabbed onto the seat, using it to hoist my body up.#p#分页标题#e#

Glass crunched under my feet as I pushed off the driver’s side window. I needed to get out and pull Jackson to safety. The scent of gas was getting stronger. All it would take was one spark, and we’d be dead for sure.

“Hey!” someone shouted. “She’s alive in there!”

The realization that other people had been involved in the crash weighed down on me. “Help!” I screamed. “Help him!”

There was a horrible screech of mangled metal. The SUV shook.

“The door’s stuck!” the same voice yelled. Someone shouted back to them, their words far and indiscernible.

“It might be too late,” a female voice spoke. “It smells like gas. Strong. Help me get them out!”

I clambered over the seat and pressed my hand to Jackson’s wound. The bullet had struck in between his neck and his left shoulder. Blood pooled around my fingers. “You’re gonna be okay,” I frantically mumbled. “You have to be!” Sirens echoed, and red and blue lights danced across Jackson’s bloodied face.

“Can you hear me?” a woman shouted. I jerked my head up, looking at the back of the Blazer. “You need to get out of there! Can you move?”

“Yeah,” I answered automatically and turned my attention back to Jackson. My body violently trembled, rendering me useless. I shook my head. “Can’t leave him,” I said hoarsely. “Can’t leave him.” Jackson’s blood dripped down my arms. Car doors slammed shut and multiple people shouted orders. I cupped a hand around Jackson’s face. “Wake up!” I yelled. “Jackson, don’t leave me!” Awkwardly contorted in the overturned Blazer, I slipped, crumpling down onto shards of broken glass.

The back passenger window broke. My mind flashed to Zane, and I thought he was here to finish us off. A low rumble of an engine shook the car. I scrambled back up, swaying when dizziness crashed down on me. My eyes threatened to close.

A horrible high-pitched sound filled the air when part of the SUV door was torn off. I looked up to see several firefighters working to cut away at the Blazer. They spoke to me, but their voices were a distant echo.

My knees gave out. I reached up, lacing my fingers through Jackson’s. His arm was outstretched, unnaturally hanging to the side. I held onto him. I began to feel cold. The vision of Jackson and I sitting at the dining room table flashed before my eyes. It was the same as it always was, but this time everything was bathed in a bright white light.

Jackson’s hand slipped from mine. I forced my eyes open and reached for him. He was lifted up, carefully moved out of the car. Then heavy hands landed on me, bringing me out to safety.