PROLOGUE
I stare down at his moon lit face, worried.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoTzv4fDgt
He's shaking underneath my grasp.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOuglIAtOP
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8Vwmc6jUh
"Livia," he says. His voice is soft.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdQPyczKWS
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5g67l5ZJm
I run the palm of my hand down his cheek, feeling the cold tears that have managed to escape without me knowing.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYVx8lCh2q
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonVyjAlp9F
I smile bitterly.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINwcb3eJTn
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj1xnt817W
"It's alright now Jere." I kiss his eyelid lightly as more tears threatened to fall. I tasted the salt.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGOLV6VITM
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW948suCRJ
"Liv," he calls again, his voice wavering this time.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6FTdr4rU5
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsHEuZ0bI7
I continue to stroke his cheek, trying to ignore the amount of blood coming from his side, where I press my free hand onto.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqWU6AKIXl
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzppqReTdU
"Just breathe Jere, are you still breathing? In and out just like I told you."1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uA2cUieQt
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4pq8N7Kky
He struggles to take staggering breaths, obeying me.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnU9AIsZHE
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTACUO0za60
I look around, seeing if the ambulance had arrived yet. Faintly I heard sirens, but they still sounded far off.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLQgZAy4tP
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjKylWZtnf
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.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbxmGu49Iu
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4Kkb8fh0x
I'm scared of how his each breath seem to grow more difficult then the next.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBh7cgZTzw
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGPOVKhbaB
I'm scared to look down at my bloodied hand, which determined his lifeline.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGYShmoWgL
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawViUoacUx
I'm scared my Jere will drift off if I don't keep him awake.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerM5JqaOxP
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTewL0w5voG
I must at all cost keep him awake.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEVaTOOL3h
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxdHj7Zh0N
"Livia, how long?" He manages to croak out. "How long do I have to wait?"1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYk99WnNgT
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZrkjyUeXr
Feigning a smile I continue my charade.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuxWMdAtp7
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonjjFdyGmQ
"Not that long baby I promise."1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMkMWhweVc
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQTU4qRLLj
Any other human being would have passed out by now, unlike my Jere.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdnfBKVaci
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q4xjbNzfN
My Jere laughs, somehow managing the energy to do so.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7LIZuaOu8
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Fb0fH1bYt
He then breaks into coughing spasms from exerting himself too much.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86nOTdbcLT
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqGN4lCmiU
But he continues to laugh, not knowing how to stop.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYqmI2kucX
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9w3KqeD8y
"I'm going to die aren't I?" He laughs.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WR8SwxnNR
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrsL3gPSAc
I frown at him.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhzx9jzWqT
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUwQcFWmxw
"Don't say that."1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgF7mELqTf
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22PX7j9Nmy
He laughs hysterically now then coughs up blood in response.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkTl3n6EYx
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpjqscrLLU
I gasp.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbgKw454mt
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA33x0wqBjU
"Jere stop!"1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHenkmSYyc5
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizSbtrVLAa
He goes on.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG1TtJY4Ya
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCco09f2sU
"I'm better off dead anyway. I've always wondered what it would be like." He says this all dream like, his eyes narrowing.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡranzsnyODu
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSnpqGQg8L
Forgetting all about being calm, tears stream down my face, as I yell at him frustratingly.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuooLcTmMpY
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqpiHe8ezb
"Jere stop it you're not going to die! I won't let you!"1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCihPQ0UdR
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAUbwi6hzE
Jere chuckles a little but his eyes don't. He stares up at me bitterly and reaches to brush away my tears.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ieACGgEfK
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA67W0dFs4f
"Don't laugh." I tell him again softly.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyHVpywuR3
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk5bRCF0LS
"I won't."1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAXmkCumMb
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmAHXgny8c
He obeys, watching me soberly.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xd7qRpb4w
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq816uBd9A7
"I don't want to leave you." Jere says in a barely audible voice.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7rVxDj0OH
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMzBQgm0nT
All the laughing has put him in an even worse condition than before.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNtFgzITLk
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0IH8g6DNI
I don't even try to hide my distress face from him anymore.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGMAaiIEv8
Specks of blood covers his daunt face from his coughing spasms earlier.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHlcjziNJm
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBS74c46Dd
His already weak body sinks heavily into me while I try to keep him comfortable.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYQJRWO08H
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pji3UntZG
"Livia. I don't want you to leave me," he says a bit louder.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j5CDND4X5
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoKP3JoQ66
"Shhh I know baby, just don't leave me okay?"1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhlYnEnNnG
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yMNopQsB7
He tries to nod but he can't.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecKLTWziXx
He continues to try but I hold him steady so he wouldn't overdo himself again.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVta6UsghTd
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpILpKpVfB
I look into those beautiful, moss green eyes that I love so much.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymmJshFQR6
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU54q3TYQ2X
He looks up into mine.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeyBhnbqnb
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6vyT3nZwd
"Don't leave me." He whispers.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEBHuhUBrQ
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxpmPX0Czy
"Stay awake." I tell him.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oLFv2m0fJ
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tmMzAMxnZ
"I'm tired, how long?" He asks.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS69v1ssA0
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrKB1uwUiy
The siren lights are visible now. They'll be here in any moment.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4lhrk7dk2
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAxzzr4BcO
"You're almost there baby, just hang on okay?"1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmRk1LwB6Z
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0PDR9153r
He doesn't reply.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ERwtRdUXH
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I hurriedly check if he's still breathing. It's shallow now, faint.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oTFAgFFPf
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PurUr61Zu
Looking at him, I lay my hand on his cheek again and gently swipe my thumb across it. His eyes are nearly closed.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOYgAZBORO
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI4CRTDqOE
"Jere, answer me. Jere!"1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3tLt5cvYs
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrITULYbSo
His eyes open slightly at the desperation in my voice, ready to obey but unable to find the energy to comply.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEsPUUUfDd
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnNWyewhhc
"Stay awake." I told him softly.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiuVqdcX2Q
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl61LkPoG9
"I will." His mouth reads, but he closes his eyes anyway. He's smiles briefly as I struggled to see through my tears.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwR3E4unSZ
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv39cdnxUO
"Kiss," he whispers inaudibly.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBadTGqz7w
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsnTQacGxe
I shake my head not knowing whether to laugh at his corniness right now or cry.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TUV8SJglU
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX51KPrVMm
"Kiss me," he repeats.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA4p1JpUNT
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39OBQG5jFf
I don't waste time, I need to keep him awake until the ambulance gets here.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjNT0X8bYW
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLVZD26eOe
With one hand still holding his wound, I use my free hand to cradle his face.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfWm4CO3rG
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fjLDClS0E
His eyes open briefly before I dropped my lips down on his.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xhlsgBR30
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOFvvQqYJk
I kiss him gently, ignoring the metallic taste of blood.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04prUKr7PY
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW0KWPVFPP
Using energy I didn't believe was still in him, he wraps one arm around me and deepens the kiss.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TNy4a2hzB
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81U3lRPLEd
He passionately draws me in, almost making me forget that he was still in pain for a second.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXnEr8tuyr
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QHCpgEtd1
Electricity races through me and lingers.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4Dp49Agey
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROeEXUAGxu
I cling to him for dear life, knowing that I can never let go.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzbttzfAmf
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrZ5T5dn9G
But reality hits me hard when his tug on my lips slows.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhZVYLI6NR
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ270PlnPxDe
I can literally feel all the energy drain out of him as we break apart.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrIMzTxwZ9
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cNpKtOH2Y
He suddenly goes limp in my arms.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDB79kYQfd
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJiYrkwu3Q
"Jere?" I call to him as my eyes widened.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI45QfGNgs7
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01tpV4ZvIm
"Jeremy?"1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HW7XZTJo0
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Myg6rXtzO
I shake my head, not believing.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BY9jnvPMN
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5U0Ms6pvh
"Jere, talk to me, Jere?"1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxSz7hSWuw
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHwfDDr1kc
Soon the ambulance pulls up in front of me in mass heaps.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CSe9KyaNX
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnVLqbMBsP
The siren noises was deafening, but I was too numb all over to hear, or feel what was going on around me.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7cxEMWhUj
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWGu8bTR91
I have no chance to react before Jeremy's limp body is taken away from me.1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlkZY2z3C0
1052Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRdeZfm1pE
