AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When Donnie moves out of my view, I see a body underneath a white sheet lies on a stainless-steel table. My chest grows tight, and it becomes hard to breathe.
Yolanda stands beside the body and waits for my cue to move forward. With tears clouding my vision, I give her a nod.
A wave of acid wells up from my belly when she pulls the sheet back and reveals my brother, Josiah. Unable to hold it in any longer, my body racks with an onslaught of sobs and tears.
Using one hand, I push myself closer and reach for his hand.
Josiah’s body lies still, his skin pale.
Cold as ice.
So fucking cold.
“Oh, Jo,” I hiccup through my sobs.
“You promised me. You br-broke your pro-promise.”
A pang grips my heart.
Oh, God.The pain is suffocating.
I can’t fucking breathe.
Suddenly, a surge of anger rolls through me.
“You left me! You lied and promised me you would NEVER give up!” I slam my fist against the table’s edge, ignoring the pain shooting up my arm.
“Why, Jo? Why would you do this?” My cries turn to whimpers. “You left me all alone. I could’ve helped you. I could’ve helped you. I could’ve helped you. I could’ve helped you,” I repeat in a broken whisper.
I try to breathe through the grief and pain, but reality sets in and pulls me under, drowning.
I’ll never hear his voice again.
I’ll never see his warm smile that always brought me comfort.
Josiah’s death has shattered my world completely.
Nothing will ever be the same.
“I lo-love you, Jo. I miss you.”
“I’m so-sorry I could…couldn’t save yo-you.”
Someone pulls me away from Jo, and panic pulses through me.
“No, no! Don’t take him away.Please. Please, don’t take him from me.” My eyes dart around frantically, begging the person to stop.
“Donnie!” I scream when Yolanda covers Jo with the sheet.
“NO!”
I’m wheeled out of the room and cry furiously when Donnie pulls me into his arms.
“Shh, baby, it’s okay.” Donnie soothes but the sadness in his voice betrays him. He’s hurting becauseI’mhurting.
A sudden wave of drowsiness sweeps over me. I cling to Donnie for dear life, listening to his sweet voice singing “My Girl.”
“I love you,” Donnie whispers in my ear and they are the last words I hear before darkness takes me under.
