Chapter 4

He stared at the water in the bath.

"The blood — what —"

Lucas threw himself toward the tub, hands shaking so badly he could barely work the buckle. He tried several times. Couldn't get it. His voice cracked.

"Sylvia — hold on —"

I looked at him. At the shaking hands. At the face I'd known for twelve years.

"Step back."

Two words. Almost nothing.

He kept trying. Eventually the buckle gave way and he pulled me out of the bath — soaked, shivering, still pressed against his chest. His hand found the warmth on my leg and he went completely rigid.

"I'm taking you to hospital. Don't close your eyes. Stay with me."

He grabbed a towel, wrapped it around me, and ran.

The whole way there he didn't stop shaking. His tears kept landing on my face. He kept telling me not to sleep, his voice stripped down to something small and begging.

I was so tired. I let myself go.