Page 2 of Fatality

Left. Right. Another step.

Then another.

“Riven!”

I blink hard, and the world snaps into focus just enough for me to realize there's asphalt beneath me in every direction.

Headlights bear down on me—fast, far too fast.

My legs refuse to move, as if the asphalt has turned to quicksand, swallowing me inch by inch.

Move, Riven. Move.

The command screams through my head, but my body won't listen.

Move.

I'm going to die.

My heart slams against my ribs so hard it hurts, each frantic beat stealing what little air I have left.

Still, I can't move.

The headlights are almost closing in now, this is it.

I'm going to die because I broke a glass, because my father hates me so much, he slapped me for it.

A bitter laugh catches in my throat.

Maybe it's better this way, maybe this is what everyone wants anyway.

I was never wanted, never loved by them since birth.

Maybe the world would be better if I simply disappeared.

I squeeze my eyes shut.

“No!" The scream rips through the street, raw and shattered.

I feel a violent push but it’s not my body against the car.

Something feels wrong.

This isn't metal, it's warm.

The force of the shove sends me crashing onto the pavement, pain shoots through my side as I hit the ground.

For a second, everything blurs, then I open my eyes and I'm met with the worst possible sight.

Kyle.

Time stops, my heart already aching, breaks completely.

The car hits him, not me.

Him.

His body hit the hood like a rag doll before crashing onto the asphalt. His legs and arms are twisted at impossible angles. Rain drums against him, washing streaks of blood across the pavement.