PROLOGUE
I stare down at his moon lit face, worried.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFYqnzUowg
He's shaking underneath my grasp.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCemhL2WX7G
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvScr6bNgA
"Livia," he says. His voice is soft.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9mmrGrYIg
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBo0QB2PPS
I run the palm of my hand down his cheek, feeling the cold tears that have managed to escape without me knowing.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGXvrCmb6R
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I smile bitterly.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fSqqpxT9q
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s0TeXi8nm
"It's alright now Jere." I kiss his eyelid lightly as more tears threatened to fall. I tasted the salt.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxvcWsG1Cm
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHntgdqODat
"Liv," he calls again, his voice wavering this time.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHD0dYglJb
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qPI2EesRl
I continue to stroke his cheek, trying to ignore the amount of blood coming from his side, where I press my free hand onto.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKns7F2jcl
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxn7WwSB3e
"Just breathe Jere, are you still breathing? In and out just like I told you."1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbZCseyz0s
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQC4qd87nw
He struggles to take staggering breaths, obeying me.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4PhJnXvr4
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQcR7h9YTK
I look around, seeing if the ambulance had arrived yet. Faintly I heard sirens, but they still sounded far off.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtVuMLGVLC
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuI6SHwbW0
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.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdwljgswva
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINIVjAntNZ
I'm scared of how his each breath seem to grow more difficult then the next.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJpP9oOwlI
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2c0SCnjuo
I'm scared to look down at my bloodied hand, which determined his lifeline.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe89MiMACjm
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMDo0iCF9l
I'm scared my Jere will drift off if I don't keep him awake.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbfiZ6oNJO
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyUHvJtOnY
I must at all cost keep him awake.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA472Lf9nX
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIizvDkIKQi
"Livia, how long?" He manages to croak out. "How long do I have to wait?"1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPp94Smpfh
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXP0pqnU3X
Feigning a smile I continue my charade.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8DsjuVm2a
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ytigb7E61
"Not that long baby I promise."1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJDvQL3wNt
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkyjUmRqs0
Any other human being would have passed out by now, unlike my Jere.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunfgNqukj6
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOPHATzqGQ
My Jere laughs, somehow managing the energy to do so.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmal1Z6XTm
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrT1zRQP2T
He then breaks into coughing spasms from exerting himself too much.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYsunwEx7r
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3oD3re3UM
But he continues to laugh, not knowing how to stop.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnQ4bcZLl8
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I9XRrJQeu
"I'm going to die aren't I?" He laughs.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VSY1ofwLh
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJuK7hMeuB
I frown at him.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z1ZV2Pl1y
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"Don't say that."1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwnbSS55bp
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbafp7yQy6e
He laughs hysterically now then coughs up blood in response.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhaRC1ldEA
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri97ORYMRF
I gasp.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b7LpKqebB
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxAGaSAlsE
"Jere stop!"1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGHaF2SkAT
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DeII3B7fE
He goes on.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sUb7RhhuB
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5x4iWl0Lo
"I'm better off dead anyway. I've always wondered what it would be like." He says this all dream like, his eyes narrowing.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXS5lGGBss
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fGrxZL62T
Forgetting all about being calm, tears stream down my face, as I yell at him frustratingly.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ17PQdq3r
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e3T9pgdqs
"Jere stop it you're not going to die! I won't let you!"1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxAwv5CSaL
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAN98TZEkh
Jere chuckles a little but his eyes don't. He stares up at me bitterly and reaches to brush away my tears.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdnzJZhF3X
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvlI3f7ysM
"Don't laugh." I tell him again softly.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPo6TRbPdg
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWOnCFAcmn
"I won't."1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7QRYDXR96
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXWO3Wruyz
He obeys, watching me soberly.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSFrFZgze4
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UcjtSQe5W
"I don't want to leave you." Jere says in a barely audible voice.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXoHDwr3IZ
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxGXmm5KLk
All the laughing has put him in an even worse condition than before.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WPvYV3TiL
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffX5llpVfa
I don't even try to hide my distress face from him anymore.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVJbNUMXYw
Specks of blood covers his daunt face from his coughing spasms earlier.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv14jJAWhS
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf4k4y4lQt
His already weak body sinks heavily into me while I try to keep him comfortable.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WLAUPb6Px
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGu6019Aw1
"Livia. I don't want you to leave me," he says a bit louder.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUktFVGz2Z
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTk98T7VoD
"Shhh I know baby, just don't leave me okay?"1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpauFUUyC3
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbHKoTgWlu
He tries to nod but he can't.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxd2x62gF7R
He continues to try but I hold him steady so he wouldn't overdo himself again.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8TiJb8SQI
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2eWNR0qTB
I look into those beautiful, moss green eyes that I love so much.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tvOezdAvp
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkqG2dilCT
He looks up into mine.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZLVmGOzSH
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1M3Qg4V7j
"Don't leave me." He whispers.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHvJosmHKr
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7Z2jgVySp
"Stay awake." I tell him.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqKjcp9Ckj
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ewXQ8KEdW
"I'm tired, how long?" He asks.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQxPfuaxir
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP39oZ9mepS
The siren lights are visible now. They'll be here in any moment.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0gpHATNYb
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPxVeCR7lO
"You're almost there baby, just hang on okay?"1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIUhajA34Z
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy709qsjjq
He doesn't reply.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84iq5meyV8
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I hurriedly check if he's still breathing. It's shallow now, faint.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62aqy2xkfE
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FEqNiwkec
Looking at him, I lay my hand on his cheek again and gently swipe my thumb across it. His eyes are nearly closed.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVQZWuTMrU
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdbfXgKIwm
"Jere, answer me. Jere!"1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlc25b8oYr
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1tlPoEpWX
His eyes open slightly at the desperation in my voice, ready to obey but unable to find the energy to comply.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYMojAUQbO
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZpZPQ8HSj
"Stay awake." I told him softly.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQhioqU27t
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZFYKbr9RT
"I will." His mouth reads, but he closes his eyes anyway. He's smiles briefly as I struggled to see through my tears.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQQLrfw0PQ
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM09jFSpfWF
"Kiss," he whispers inaudibly.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMNRKCUSBG
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKfLfhhDXW
I shake my head not knowing whether to laugh at his corniness right now or cry.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrp8TVBR8C
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTd8RIfhhA
"Kiss me," he repeats.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaFepDqjR0
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBCcol0kJT
I don't waste time, I need to keep him awake until the ambulance gets here.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmad6kf4UYs
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSCj0tSjBP
With one hand still holding his wound, I use my free hand to cradle his face.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr8ylUyhE7
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SwtwvyNuB
His eyes open briefly before I dropped my lips down on his.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndbtDEjct8
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0XClaJoWq
I kiss him gently, ignoring the metallic taste of blood.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3uEGNrDVR
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMccIKt59KA
Using energy I didn't believe was still in him, he wraps one arm around me and deepens the kiss.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz9HpygfTc
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGJKhV0DnU
He passionately draws me in, almost making me forget that he was still in pain for a second.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZrpu5RaAF
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZkTgtw4BJ
Electricity races through me and lingers.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVXJxN5sSc
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKgwmsvmWK
I cling to him for dear life, knowing that I can never let go.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap2SdhAhA3
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUo31aOwZF
But reality hits me hard when his tug on my lips slows.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLBsmJaJnG
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIeN7HI2tY
I can literally feel all the energy drain out of him as we break apart.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhHsol9IET
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12vJNDNNyB
He suddenly goes limp in my arms.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4PUosmbyB
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxiRQalRZq
"Jere?" I call to him as my eyes widened.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSgv7V6Qe3
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwgi0ObwpZ
"Jeremy?"1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ82yoKN9tL
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0iZ7qL2tS
I shake my head, not believing.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqQXMZodC9
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKt1HLfpON
"Jere, talk to me, Jere?"1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SiQdy8v3B
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ173fRMtsFP
Soon the ambulance pulls up in front of me in mass heaps.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69J7Mz345A
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVkgBssg1y
The siren noises was deafening, but I was too numb all over to hear, or feel what was going on around me.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV0OT9dyRX
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLWjvj3pm3
I have no chance to react before Jeremy's limp body is taken away from me.1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbR4jaVgsA
1078Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3v305uDv7
