The Night I Died, She Chose Him

the cold flo

trembling hand and to

still mad at Mom

ce was

she wished you

ed in his

you to disappear,

m, to hold him, to tel

isper of air, a col

a long time, talking

t his fall, abo

He just knew somethi

is shivering bec

get help

s movements s

st have bee

house again, into

in the direction of the small, 24-hour cli

mined figure, limping

silent, anxi

lights appeare

fa

ut!" I scream

. I recognized the

was behin

aw F

y the dashboard lights,

iming directl

a deer in th

o small,

bore dow

ont of Finn, a usele

ssed right

eel at the last second

d Finn b

ge buffeted Finn, kno

n the gravel sho

stunned, gaspi

to a halt a little

n got

inn, his expression unre

, trying to will hi

as too t

pped a few

re?" Julian said, his voice

ell, out for an ear

kwards, crab-like,

terror. He knew. He knew

rn on his hand, "acc

being locked

ose things when La

? Cat got your tong

a step

rt? Did you

is head, una

lips. "If you tell me where your daddy keeps his good tools

get Finn to bet

d at him, his s

l me that your daddy is a no-good, cheating liar, I'll... I'll think abou

o insult me. To

trembled, but he

he whispered, his voice fi

ething dark cros

a

rabbed Finn by the arm,

his charming facade gone. "You're j

. Finn's head snap

ing to push Julian away, but

was so utte

nded Finn acr

keningly loud in

t, a sharp, t

d him up by his arm, his fi

Julian sneered, his face close to Finn's. "H

ll him. He was goi

heard. "Leave him alone! Take me! Do wha

bargain, suffered any

ed Finn towa

d twisting, but he was no

eamed. "You're a bad

ed, a harsh,

ou have no

senger door and s

ly, hitting his hea

l for a mom

driver's seat and

nn, who was now tryi

ock. Of

bout it," Julian sa

onto the road,

he clinic. No

of town, towards

erted

thing, coiling in my

ll Finn. And no on