Page 315 of Wicked Brutal

My hand stays wrapped around Mom’s. “I’m here.” The EMTs move around her. “I’m right here, Mommy.”

They start working. Hands. Equipment. Words I don’t understand. Then compressions. Mom’s body moves with them, and I scream.

“STOP!”

Darla grabs me. “No, sweetheart.”

“THEY’RE HURTING HER!”

“They’re trying to get her heart beating.” Compression.

“Mom.” Again. “Come on.” Again. “Please.” Again. “Mommy, please.” Again. “You survived him. You survived him for years. So survive this. Please.” Nothing. “Tobias needs you. He’s waiting. He thinks we’re coming. He thinks you’re coming too.” My voice breaks. “You promised. You promised me all three.”

Ryan starts crying behind me.

“I got him out, Mom. I got Tobias out. I did it. He’s safe. So wake up. You can wake up now. Please.”

Darla turns her face away.

“No.” I see her. “No.”

“Ally—“

“Don’t look like that.” Her tears fall. “Don’t fucking look like that!”

The EMTs keep going.

“Mommy! Please! I don’t know how to do this without you!” Ryan breaks. “I don’t know how to be somebody’s mom without mine!” Darla covers her mouth. “Please!” One EMT looks at the other. No. “No.” They keep going. “Don’t stop. Don’t fucking stop. KEEP GOING! PLEASE! PLEASE DON’T STOP!”

And then they do. They stop.

“No.” The world stops with them. “No.” Someone says something quietly. I don’t understand it. “Keep going.” Nobody does. “Keep going.”

Darla grips my hand. “Ally.”

“Tell them.” Her face breaks. “Tell them to keep going.”

“Sweetheart—“

“NO!” I lunge toward them. Ryan catches me. “MAKE THEM KEEP GOING!”

“Baby—“

“MAKE THEM!”

“I can’t.”

“YES, YOU CAN!”

“I can’t.”

“HELP HER!” My scream tears out of me. “HELP MY FUCKING MOM!”

I collapse over her hand. “Mom.” Nothing. “Mommy.” Nothing. “Wake up. You promised me.” I press her hand against my cheek. Still warm. “You fucking promised.” My forehead falls against her fingers. “All three.” Ryan folds over me. “You said all three. I need you. Tobias needs you. Our baby needs you. I need my mom.”

Pain twists low in my stomach. I gasp. Ryan immediately lifts his head. “What?”

I shake mine. “Nothing.”