Page 119 of Luci’s Lullaby

“Em? What’s going on?”

“It’s Alden.” She nods her head as tears spring to her eyes. “He’s a mess. It’s bad.”

“How bad?”

She licks her lips. “Chord’s going with him.”

I stagger back, sitting without looking where I’m going. I take a deep breath. “Is he okay? I mean, he’s not hurt. What I’m trying to ask, is he physically hurt?”

“In some ways, yes. But in others, he’s not doing well at all.” She chews her nail. “Reese, Walker, One and Uncle Lan are having a meeting about him today.”

“Why? What in the hell is going on, Emerson? I need to know.”

She fidgets and finally comes clean. “He’s given up, they’re trying to save him.”

“From who, Sam?” My gut rolls making me nauseous.

She wipes her face as the tears fall fast and hard. “Himself, Charlee. They’re trying to save his life.”

“I’m not sure they can.”

“Why would you say something like that?” Emerson gapes at me.

I wipe my face. “You have to want to save yourself, and I’m not sure Alden wants to.”