PROLOGUE
I stare down at his moon lit face, worried.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCJAYmbMFg
He's shaking underneath my grasp.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwR06Nw9vn
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdWor1xqZh
"Livia," he says. His voice is soft.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbVvRkVJoh
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtV5JsyTyF
I run the palm of my hand down his cheek, feeling the cold tears that have managed to escape without me knowing.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyj181BES4
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegVzc0sjVs
I smile bitterly.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf4u0QtQWq
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDrfjkiNAg
"It's alright now Jere." I kiss his eyelid lightly as more tears threatened to fall. I tasted the salt.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB4aLxL8DN
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMeMi65uhZ
"Liv," he calls again, his voice wavering this time.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF4O4ekxLR
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXt4jhrINr
I continue to stroke his cheek, trying to ignore the amount of blood coming from his side, where I press my free hand onto.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHnE5UljHA
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lturZaIEo
"Just breathe Jere, are you still breathing? In and out just like I told you."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0pwcJPgxQ
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGK4pOxHI5
He struggles to take staggering breaths, obeying me.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygU15pzUn7
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBItNQZPn1H
I look around, seeing if the ambulance had arrived yet. Faintly I heard sirens, but they still sounded far off.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkFsHFPoor
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6QPtHGj8C
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.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5771Xd1c1c
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGrM11xYsq
I'm scared of how his each breath seem to grow more difficult then the next.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS5hZPVlk3
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCfLfNFo7A
I'm scared to look down at my bloodied hand, which determined his lifeline.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgVFmJu16G
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIj6G2VpKy
I'm scared my Jere will drift off if I don't keep him awake.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LMXqGF1bC
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPkdFGbZBR
I must at all cost keep him awake.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV2O0fTlpW
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAvCFK6Yyd
"Livia, how long?" He manages to croak out. "How long do I have to wait?"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHy6Qgfyg8
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnNYxEC6uf
Feigning a smile I continue my charade.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF3zjIUGHr
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce3n84xKu7
"Not that long baby I promise."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbbfhdJPlg
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX7owuOzWz
Any other human being would have passed out by now, unlike my Jere.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZCelU5i3I
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5bLxv7K8D
My Jere laughs, somehow managing the energy to do so.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiKqdevVyN
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6QsxCRiwW
He then breaks into coughing spasms from exerting himself too much.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H2KMw4Ijr
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK05b1YPbs
But he continues to laugh, not knowing how to stop.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTCp7ZoRm3
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnwbtxlqjX
"I'm going to die aren't I?" He laughs.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sT3GBfOfE
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxSpkNKDMI
I frown at him.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSRjypAj2B
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLl2qSvhck
"Don't say that."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhogGgvOzgY
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Nn3v4ezOb
He laughs hysterically now then coughs up blood in response.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4x0OyrjUu
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAViPTlbez
I gasp.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO9A1aa85s
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sgVKRuC7a
"Jere stop!"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINZfRPrAuo
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhk0Pw5L8e
He goes on.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFngyNEX95T
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQyUKxDKJv
"I'm better off dead anyway. I've always wondered what it would be like." He says this all dream like, his eyes narrowing.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHRYmhwWiQ
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxPHygFoeK
Forgetting all about being calm, tears stream down my face, as I yell at him frustratingly.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI9YnfQXuN
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucxVU14rcB
"Jere stop it you're not going to die! I won't let you!"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPlQe55Dec
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrLLmIterP
Jere chuckles a little but his eyes don't. He stares up at me bitterly and reaches to brush away my tears.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f4nlTKgor
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTvFs2TSki
"Don't laugh." I tell him again softly.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG41SxCxNF9
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegdtHbWxeE
"I won't."1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZXjPszn2S
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMtrKDMoTH
He obeys, watching me soberly.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI4jUD6qpW
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiMYDmi86o
"I don't want to leave you." Jere says in a barely audible voice.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53eAtJ3otJ
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgS8QK1bbA
All the laughing has put him in an even worse condition than before.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZZVeeBcEb
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsJpAJU54m
I don't even try to hide my distress face from him anymore.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNyciauCgh
Specks of blood covers his daunt face from his coughing spasms earlier.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg2qFtdi37
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE9ndqlOWt
His already weak body sinks heavily into me while I try to keep him comfortable.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmvbJqdGOD
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PGgKtfGia
"Livia. I don't want you to leave me," he says a bit louder.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ctoQOkvu9
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpzGaNlvnR
"Shhh I know baby, just don't leave me okay?"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LWXdGwIrh
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD2WqGoNbq
He tries to nod but he can't.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeupLAZUxjj
He continues to try but I hold him steady so he wouldn't overdo himself again.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKjaUD3DtD
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphjHLphZo5
I look into those beautiful, moss green eyes that I love so much.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtZPi9MU2a
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01eMCjvO9k
He looks up into mine.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOboBe0teB
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcnvrTwuHL
"Don't leave me." He whispers.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIOhT9ByRm
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeB1k5G6AF
"Stay awake." I tell him.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTM4YXJ2ZS
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW70ZmbgYSY
"I'm tired, how long?" He asks.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoB53ASNvJ
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdPVF5YsAS
The siren lights are visible now. They'll be here in any moment.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuybcse1w3a
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDjZlme05X
"You're almost there baby, just hang on okay?"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWsyFVybhp
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ3b8GaJWC
He doesn't reply.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTJzDmHF7X
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RsP44KY9h
I hurriedly check if he's still breathing. It's shallow now, faint.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv10sGwQVJ
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaE856uxNt
Looking at him, I lay my hand on his cheek again and gently swipe my thumb across it. His eyes are nearly closed.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNLTjcgyxw
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr64wGknSL
"Jere, answer me. Jere!"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZSnF8Oo03
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yxiYakPBA
His eyes open slightly at the desperation in my voice, ready to obey but unable to find the energy to comply.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ntYGSOqdC
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxNnEejxwv
"Stay awake." I told him softly.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YFUyN6L1o
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89d9Wpyxvq
"I will." His mouth reads, but he closes his eyes anyway. He's smiles briefly as I struggled to see through my tears.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANYptDBFxD
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3FwD9iA5c
"Kiss," he whispers inaudibly.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl1kcf1Wz5
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bIgpnQqyU
I shake my head not knowing whether to laugh at his corniness right now or cry.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOdFQZ7Tr8
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SMSJ3VlIY
"Kiss me," he repeats.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfR6NleioO
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXPRnbhMB7
I don't waste time, I need to keep him awake until the ambulance gets here.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b5tC34KWl
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInZgI9citT
With one hand still holding his wound, I use my free hand to cradle his face.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTImeZsoeP
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvfOqE04Vo
His eyes open briefly before I dropped my lips down on his.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaBlVSIOcX
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAJ72YsFH2
I kiss him gently, ignoring the metallic taste of blood.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB04jk031hK
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lnKHququ8
Using energy I didn't believe was still in him, he wraps one arm around me and deepens the kiss.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlATWcIOEKK
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9RQXXFMjd
He passionately draws me in, almost making me forget that he was still in pain for a second.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsTNF477T3
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GioIHYbaJ
Electricity races through me and lingers.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JxG0IWkcZ
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNcj49ePoI
I cling to him for dear life, knowing that I can never let go.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR1F1yItpf
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4lwiQhTz4
But reality hits me hard when his tug on my lips slows.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjknyammsE
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsJq0mh0Lf
I can literally feel all the energy drain out of him as we break apart.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm8lNYsczg
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhz6WcIkTFf
He suddenly goes limp in my arms.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRlwU9FJXM
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrClp47lnX
"Jere?" I call to him as my eyes widened.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWkcJArrZN
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LB9eBEHX8
"Jeremy?"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wyj9JUDjv
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP7sSFVm5Y
I shake my head, not believing.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR0HouH2dF
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D60Hf1BOJ
"Jere, talk to me, Jere?"1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiog55V4hc
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy5O73nhL3
Soon the ambulance pulls up in front of me in mass heaps.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaK8nqtVKb
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePYZLEx4jq
The siren noises was deafening, but I was too numb all over to hear, or feel what was going on around me.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5Eog2fkd2
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUz5XItqZ2
I have no chance to react before Jeremy's limp body is taken away from me.1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxpRkc2PHk
1065Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DJnt6pZqn
