PROLOGUE
I stare down at his moon lit face, worried.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpzdJQfZDe
He's shaking underneath my grasp.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaSTtTEeQe
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyzCYXabAe
"Livia," he says. His voice is soft.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq0BaDa56p
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q19jixuN7
I run the palm of my hand down his cheek, feeling the cold tears that have managed to escape without me knowing.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg4ct5xvup
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I smile bitterly.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAdjMiwSSK
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"It's alright now Jere." I kiss his eyelid lightly as more tears threatened to fall. I tasted the salt.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUIby2roeH
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"Liv," he calls again, his voice wavering this time.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfjsl7U63W
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I continue to stroke his cheek, trying to ignore the amount of blood coming from his side, where I press my free hand onto.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsvxBfb2qf
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9zt4PP325
"Just breathe Jere, are you still breathing? In and out just like I told you."1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjw72Etrui
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He struggles to take staggering breaths, obeying me.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoEfdDZ5Gi
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSLtTuZUfq
I look around, seeing if the ambulance had arrived yet. Faintly I heard sirens, but they still sounded far off.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N6EzJfqEj
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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.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteBzBq4J2r
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfa57C1GZe
I'm scared of how his each breath seem to grow more difficult then the next.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3H7HkcNNB
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPzSnSNQ4Z
I'm scared to look down at my bloodied hand, which determined his lifeline.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprGTYQjH06
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs9fBfd4I7
I'm scared my Jere will drift off if I don't keep him awake.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gmLyLXOmY
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I must at all cost keep him awake.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuljBkt3IN
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCkofcsShI
"Livia, how long?" He manages to croak out. "How long do I have to wait?"1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeZMzyep6r
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Feigning a smile I continue my charade.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7numcNL49
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWkNyFBg6A
"Not that long baby I promise."1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYx4PfZmrm
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Any other human being would have passed out by now, unlike my Jere.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXmSK2TWpa
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVhm4x3cwk
My Jere laughs, somehow managing the energy to do so.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqqcYU2pVf
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He then breaks into coughing spasms from exerting himself too much.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA0m0xApB1
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpcSaJ6vn2
But he continues to laugh, not knowing how to stop.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGbP6xPb9q
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rqQFtV2Dj
"I'm going to die aren't I?" He laughs.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxyRkc89QD
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I frown at him.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlfQ25X76B
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"Don't say that."1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIlXlWW1Cl
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgl6SWLSz6
He laughs hysterically now then coughs up blood in response.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA57MFIh1i
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I gasp.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr6Qt1oW4f
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDFDYRfTtY
"Jere stop!"1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIqXhtLvcd
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4qjkoXEiQ
He goes on.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS4ecKREhs
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR27VUCjynt
"I'm better off dead anyway. I've always wondered what it would be like." He says this all dream like, his eyes narrowing.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeEE0S7XIM
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYfe0PsmOV
Forgetting all about being calm, tears stream down my face, as I yell at him frustratingly.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrptBMtGpNe
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsPiFfBXBP
"Jere stop it you're not going to die! I won't let you!"1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNP7n0kaFG
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGREHeug2sq
Jere chuckles a little but his eyes don't. He stares up at me bitterly and reaches to brush away my tears.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WstTnvNQb
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cmi9HQsgi
"Don't laugh." I tell him again softly.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno8m3735Zl
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"I won't."1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzauODebAxj
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfAZ3KiXi9
He obeys, watching me soberly.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe0D5QTdYF
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgV9nQLZXX
"I don't want to leave you." Jere says in a barely audible voice.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eC38QxH14
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All the laughing has put him in an even worse condition than before.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HJV30NkAP
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIsdlpltxy
I don't even try to hide my distress face from him anymore.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TkUpiv77F
Specks of blood covers his daunt face from his coughing spasms earlier.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRuQjlpAYp
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His already weak body sinks heavily into me while I try to keep him comfortable.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G6apnFekz
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBidt5XRVvu
"Livia. I don't want you to leave me," he says a bit louder.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf93AienKJ
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrttPeEN1Z
"Shhh I know baby, just don't leave me okay?"1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu5RHCWAhI
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsYg2b5slr
He tries to nod but he can't.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqMOTWFSt6
He continues to try but I hold him steady so he wouldn't overdo himself again.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07vkCF0oGA
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiOwHvHuQQ
I look into those beautiful, moss green eyes that I love so much.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1CWMy0Gxt
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He looks up into mine.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLn8EF5Bys
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"Don't leave me." He whispers.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFlqlgIQpZ
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"Stay awake." I tell him.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08G7tF3sGj
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"I'm tired, how long?" He asks.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UAVwlR3cN
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The siren lights are visible now. They'll be here in any moment.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxC5BvBCER
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfudx087lQ
"You're almost there baby, just hang on okay?"1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuuQQmNXFs
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He doesn't reply.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxYu2rc0Pe
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I hurriedly check if he's still breathing. It's shallow now, faint.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuunyRasG9
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyubTJqwug
Looking at him, I lay my hand on his cheek again and gently swipe my thumb across it. His eyes are nearly closed.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tbfq52qny
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"Jere, answer me. Jere!"1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPMkVq6boa
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxDkULFvtt
His eyes open slightly at the desperation in my voice, ready to obey but unable to find the energy to comply.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFsJicrqs7
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZkRdCYaVF
"Stay awake." I told him softly.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK9hvVNAso
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T1Jan8QWA
"I will." His mouth reads, but he closes his eyes anyway. He's smiles briefly as I struggled to see through my tears.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oukByJA9w
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMTKzBks73
"Kiss," he whispers inaudibly.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpriDJuH4KK
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I shake my head not knowing whether to laugh at his corniness right now or cry.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo48yGLYCZ
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTraq4wjE4
"Kiss me," he repeats.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPMkf1zmc5
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QC2XLzJLf
I don't waste time, I need to keep him awake until the ambulance gets here.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xFyQxpZgT
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj90X2rGnoR
With one hand still holding his wound, I use my free hand to cradle his face.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpYaxJapSm
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMa3SxKa6i
His eyes open briefly before I dropped my lips down on his.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruzETfVidB
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBh7z7WnXI
I kiss him gently, ignoring the metallic taste of blood.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRAOruejKG
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRbyVoZUQj
Using energy I didn't believe was still in him, he wraps one arm around me and deepens the kiss.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsoUsx4wJK
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuEkdpLXY9
He passionately draws me in, almost making me forget that he was still in pain for a second.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt30rvqGNpQ
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Electricity races through me and lingers.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlh2MQI9P2
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjLQ2lzfSh
I cling to him for dear life, knowing that I can never let go.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJe9u1Cn5a
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But reality hits me hard when his tug on my lips slows.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkROrvFxTi
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3kEJmoLrd
I can literally feel all the energy drain out of him as we break apart.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K4jB7Bgeu
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He suddenly goes limp in my arms.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGfyNIzZWR
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"Jere?" I call to him as my eyes widened.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvguvVHvjJG
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83lV00ZS3c
"Jeremy?"1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShOHlkwyhr
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I shake my head, not believing.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFElGHiYSd
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ2rCoEPYL
"Jere, talk to me, Jere?"1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcFu0mGvDT
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jNYdYHA4G
Soon the ambulance pulls up in front of me in mass heaps.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHkyUTuUTS
1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs3qOhCnTp
The siren noises was deafening, but I was too numb all over to hear, or feel what was going on around me.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Oc7f4FPcH
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I have no chance to react before Jeremy's limp body is taken away from me.1056Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxIk0AKcS1
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