Felt every minute twice over.
Between me and Daniel, on one side, Jayce on the other - stillness filled the space. His fingers brushed mine again, a quick motion, before retreating just as fast. Out here, people watch. Contact forbidden.
"Family of Lucas Montgomery?"
On our feet now. Confusion crossed his face - whose relative? Whose blood?
"Friends," Jayce said. "Is he okay?"
"Stable. Out of surgery. Blade nicked his spleen. We repaired it. He'll recover fully." The doctor smiled. "Very lucky."
"Can we see him?"
"Recovery room. Won't wake for an hour. Room 437, fourth floor."
The lift moved upward without a word between us.
A thin frame sank into the sheets. White-faced beneath the overhead light. Machines clicked and sang beside him. Fluids slid through clear tubes into his arm. Gauze held tight across his chest.
I stood still right at the entrance.
"Brooklyn?" His fingers rest on my shoulder. Are you alright?
"He got stabbed because of me."
