Page 43 of Rising Star

“Mr. Sam Stevens?”

I cleared my throat and straightened at the mention of my name from a voice too serious for this early hour. Just the tone of the caller woke up chills in me. I could already tell it wasn’t a courtesy call. My blood iced in my veins. Goosebumps spread across my body.

My airways constricted, but I succeeded in letting a “Speaking” cross my lips, bracing myself for whatever news this person would deliver.

My heart pounded in my skull. I tried to swallow, but it turned out to be challenging.

Riley’s phone buzzed, and he frowned at the screen before bringing the device to his ear, a somber expression taking over his face.

The voice on the other end of my phone sounded thousands of miles away. I could barely make out the lines that were spoken.

13

MADISON

I can’t see. I have gone blind. No, not blind. I can’t open my eyes. My skull feels as if it has burst into two. Pain. So much pain. More than I can bear. I can’t feel the rest of my body. Why is my pulse racing? What is happening to me? I can’t breathe. Sam. I need Sam. Where is he?

And darkness pulled me under.

I pried my heavy lids opened to blurred vision. I blinked, trying to dissipate the fog, but it wouldn’t clear. How much time had passed? Had it been hours? Or days? The pounding of my heart reverberated against the walls of my skull. An iron taste lingered in my mouth. Blood. Why was I bleeding? Nausea swirled in my stomach at the stench permeating the air. I rubbed my temple, trying to soothe the pain all over my head and neck. Nothing worked. A tear flowed down my cheek. Dark spots appeared in front of my eyes.

Where am I? Where is Sam? I want Sam.

My eyelids weighed tons and I failed at keeping them open. Darkness overwhelmed my brain.

Another wave of nausea hit me. Stronger than before. The ringing in my ears wouldn’t go away. Excruciating pain held me captive as if a dozen trucks were running over me. I couldn’t seem to move my left leg. Only the toes of my right one. Something was keeping me nailed to the spot. I tried to move my hand to pat the area around me, but pain shooting to my ribs prevented that.

I am feeling cold. So cold.

Shivers started deep in my core and moved up and down my body in multiple ripples. Sweat drenched my clothes. Or was it blood?

Sam, please save me.

My stomach churned. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of me.

A scream built in me. Why did my entire being hurt so bad? I was in hell.

Shadows closed in around me. I wanted to sleep.

Sam, are you there…?

A sharp pain radiated through my body, and I wailed in agony.

I lost the battle against the exhaustion taking over me.

The sound of an alarm rang in the distance.

And then nothing.

14

SAM

“Accident.”

“Madison Prescott.”

“Surgery.”