I'm on my knees, hands touching the dog, still tingling, running my fingers through his fur. I was wrong, so wrong. He's fine, rising to greet me, tongue sweeping over my cheek as he stands and shakes himself.
Not his blood, I guess.
Sound returns, someone is screaming, a bunch of someones, hoarse shouts and whimpering cries and outright sobbing. I turn, the dog at my side, to see Cade watching me.
He's smiling again. Brick hovers behind him, swallowing over and over, eyes locked on the puddle that is the remains of the boy I've killed. There is no doubt this time. It's not a fluke, an accident. I'm the cause.
And while I feel for the kid who died, I'm stronger for the knowledge. And facing Cade down, I know I can kill him, too. Like I want to.
But he's moving forward, clapping me on
