“Don’t look away,” I say quietly.
Her throat moves as she swallows. “Okay.”
Hannah glances up once. “Ready?”
No.
Not even close.
Olivia nods anyway. “Do it.”
The second Hannah starts digging for the fragment, Olivia’s entire body jerks.
Her grip crushes mine.
A sharp breath tears out of her like it physically hurt to make noise.
“Stay with me,” I say immediately.
Her nails bite into my skin.
“I hate you,” she whispers through clenched teeth.
Despite everything, a rough laugh escapes me.
“Yeah. Heard that before.”
Another wave of pain hits her.
I feel it in the violent tremor that runs through her body.
Feel it in the way her forehead presses briefly against my arm like she’s trying not to break apart in front of everyone.
“Almost there,” Hannah says.
Olivia shakes her head weakly. “You said that already.”
“Still true.”
Blood smears across Olivia’s side as Hannah works deeper.
I keep my eyes on Olivia’s face instead.
On her breathing.
On the way she keeps fighting to stay conscious.
“Stay with me,” I repeat.
Her eyes flutter hard.
“I’m trying…”
Fear crawls cold and vicious down my spine.
No.
Absolutely not.
