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“Over here! We need an ambulance!” Maverick yells.

“On the way,” Sawyer replies as he sinks to his knees beside me.

“Sadie, girl. I just met you, you can’t die on me now. Maverick will be insufferable without you.” He drops his backpack beside me and unzips it.

“Tell me you have clot stop in there,” Maverick says.

“That and more, brother.”

Maverick releases the pressure, and the tearing of fabric fills my ears. Cool air kisses the skin of my abdomen, but it’s nothing compared to the chill in my bones.

Am I going to die here?

“Here.” Sawyer offers Maverick a bag.

“You do it, my hands are still shaky from whatever he gave me.”

“Okay.” Sawyer rips open the bag.

“This is going to hurt, Sadie, but I need you to focus on me, okay?” Maverick says. “I’m right here.”

Unable to find the words, I just nod.

“Here we go.”

Blinding pain shoots through me, ripping every single bit of control I have to shreds. I cry out, screaming in agony. Maverick continues to hold me, tears in his eyes.

I try to focus on him, try to hide the pain so it won’t hurt him, but it’s too much.

It’s all too much.

Moments tick by until the pain becomes manageable again, and something cold washes against my skin.

I close my eyes.

“Sadie, keep your eyes open for me, stay awake, please, baby,” Maverick begs.

More bootsteps.

“He’s dead,” I hear Ryker confirm.

“Paramedics will be here any minute. We should get her outside so they can grab her quick. That clot stop will help, but I can’t tell if he severed anything internally,” Sawyer says. His tone lacks all of the carefree sarcasm I’ve come to know him by.

Which means it’s serious, right?

“I can carry her,” Ryker offers.

“No, I can’t let her go,” Maverick insists.

“Mav, you’re still shaky. Let us help, man. We’ve got her,” Sawyer says softly.

Maverick doesn’t respond, but he pulls away for a moment. Before I can protest, I’m lifted off the ground. The chill has spread to my arms and legs, making it impossible to move. My vision has gone hazy, and I can’t make out the identity of whoever is carrying me.

Everything is a blur.

I wish I could see Maverick one last time. Tears burn the corners of my eyes, and breathing feels impossible.

“I’m right here,” Maverick says from somewhere beside me. “And I need you to live, Sadie. Please stay with me.”