I don’t know why I’m awake. Or why I feel so scared. But something heavy hangs in the air.
“D-dad?” My voice shakes.
No answer.
I swallow hard, but my mouth’s still dry.
A shuffling sound follows, and I freeze for a moment.
“D-dad? Is that you?”
Silence.
My pulse thrums beneath my skin with every step I take, heading toward the patch of light coming from the open door.
I slowly poke my head around the corner.
There’s a sharp click and then?—
Bang!
My ears ring. The metallic scent of blood fills my nose.
I blink, unable to believe what I’m seeing.
It can’t be.
My feet are rooted to the floor as I stare at the gun.
I shoot straight upin bed, breath tearing out of my chest like I’ve been running. My heart is a weapon in my ribs. My hands are shaking. My skin is slick with sweat.
“Sebastian.” Her voice cuts through the darkness immediately.
Ivy sits up beside me and puts her hand on my arm—warm, real, grounding.
I don’t think. I just grab her, hauling her against me like she might disappear if I don’t.
She doesn’t flinch.
Her arms come around me without hesitation, one hand sliding up my back, the other cradling the back of my head. “It’s okay,” she murmurs. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.”
My chest heaves from my ragged breathing. I cling to her like I’m afraid the bed might give way beneath me.
She holds me. Grounds me.
Her fingers gently stroke my hair, and something in my chest cracks open. The panic eases. The shaking fades.
What’s left is heat. Awareness.
The press of her body against mine.
I realize, distantly, that she’s in my lap.
I pull back just enough to look at her.
Her eyes are soft. Focused on me like I’m the only thing in the room.
“You okay?” she asks quietly.
