Page 135 of Unravel Me

Gunfire erupts once more, but then Rocco pulls a knife from somewhere near his ankle and hacks at the vines, cutting through them one after another.

At last, he reaches his vehicle and throws himself inside. The vines slam against the side of the car, rocking the entire frame from side to side as though they're trying to flip it over.

Rocco starts the engine and tries to pull away, but they refuse to let go.

He leans out the window and fires again.

Finally, with a violent lurch, the car tears free of the vines' grip.

The tires scream as Rocco races down the driveway and disappears.

His soldiers are still lying on the ground, tangled in the vines, but I don't even look at them.

My eyes drop to Silvio.

He's lying motionless on the grass, and beneath his back a pool of blood keeps spreading.

Only then does the truth crash into me.

Because of me… this elderly man has been shot.

Silvio threw himself in front of the bullet.

"No…" I whisper, my voice weak, as I drop to my knees, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

"Why did you shield me? This wasn't your fight!" I choke out. "It was my stupid choices that put me on the path that led me to Rocco. Nobody else should have to pay for that! Nobody!"

Grief crushes my throat, sobbing escapes me. I barely know Silvio, yet from the moment I arrived he'd shown me nothing but kindness. He welcomed me into this home. He wanted to welcome Tommy too.

And now…

Now he'd given his life for mine.

"No, please don't die! We'll get you to a hospital," I whisper.

Then I feel Renato's hand settle on my shoulder.

"Guardians don't die in hospital beds, Jared."

I look up at him.

The shimmering green aura still surrounds him. His face no longer looks human. It seems carved from ancient roots and weathered bark, and above his head rise massive antlers like those of a stag.

He looks less like a man… and more like some forgotten god of the forest.

His blazing eyes meet mine.

"Save him," I whisper. "I know you can. I know you have the power."

"I'm not a healer," Renato says quietly. "That’s not my power."

I blink.

Something suddenly dawns on me.

Something I've rarely admitted out loud.

"But… I am."