“I don’t believe that,” Rogue said, shaking her head. “You have to help her.”
Brittany writhed on the ground, screaming in agony until her voice grew hoarse.
“Please, Jessica,” Rogue pleaded. “Help her.”
“I can’t.”
“Look at her. She’s suffering,” Rogue insisted.
Jessica shook her head. “I can’t save her, but…”
“But what?”
Jessica jumped up and ran to the boat. Moments later, she returned carrying her backpack. From within, she pulled out a first-aid kit. It contained a metal case filled with syringes. She stuck one into Brittany’s arm, injecting a clear liquid. Then she sat back on her haunches. “That’s the best I can do for her.”
“What was that?” Rogue asked.
“Morphine.”
“Morphine?” Rogue said, confused.
“It’s a powerful painkiller,” Jessica explained.
“A painkiller? That’s all?” Rogue cried. “But that won’t heal her.”
“I’m sorry, but nothing can.”
“No, you don’t understand. She can’t—”
“It’s okay,” Brittany said, her breath wheezing in and out of her chest. Bloody froth lined her lips, a clear sign that her lungs were filling up with blood. “It… it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“But you can’t die,” Rogue said, leaning forward. Tears streamed down her face unchecked. “What about all the adventures we were supposed to have together?”
Brittany managed a tremulous smile. “I guess, you’ll have to go on without me, but I’ll be watching.”
“No!”
“P… promise me you won’t look back,” Brittany insisted.
“I can’t. Not without you.”
“Please. I need to know one of us got to live our lives to the full.”
“No, it’s not right.”
Brittany convulsed, spewing blood from her lips. It spattered onto the ground, and flecks of the fluid stained Rogue’s shirt. She stared at the crimson spots, unable to equate them with her friend. She’s still so young. How is this even possible?
Rogue looked up when Seth placed a hand on her shoulder. “She’s dying, Rogue. Let her go in peace.”
“I… I…” The truth of his words coursed through her veins like acid, but she couldn’t deny it any longer. “I promise.”
“Where’s David?” Brittany asked.
“I’m here,” he said, moving closer.
“Tell… tell my mom, I’m sorry, and I love her,” Brittany said.
“I’ll tell her,” he said, his dark eyes somber.
“And tell Aret not to doubt herself. She’s a born leader.”
“She’ll get a fat head,” David said.
Brittany chuckled, but it devolved into a fit of coughing. “Just… tell her.”
“I’ll give her the message,” he said.
“Thank you,” Brittany said with a faint smile. She turned her head. “Paul?”
He dropped to his knees next to her. “Brittany.”
“Take care of Sandi. She needs you. She always has.”
“I will,” he replied, his voice hoarse.
Brittany smiled, her teeth stained with red. “I’m going to miss you all. We had it good, didn’t we? Just a bunch of kids running around the Zoo causing trouble.”
“We had it good,” Paul agreed, squeezing her arm.
Brittany looked at Rogue. “This isn’t your fault. Remember that.”
“I’ll try,” Rogue said. She reached for Brittany’s hand and cradled it on her lap. “You were the best friend I could ever hope for.”
“Yeah?” Brittany said with a hint of her old spark. “Even though I tried to sabotage you when we first met?”
“Yup,” Rogue said with a sad smile. “Even then.”
“I… I’m…” Brittany trailed off, and her face slackened as the life fled from her body. Her head dropped to the side, and her eyes grew dim.
Rogue pressed both hands to her face, and a sob burst from her lips. It felt like her chest was on fire, and her body shook, wracked with grief. “She’s dead.”
“Come on,” Seth said, coaxing her to her feet. “Let’s go.”
“Go where? She’s gone,” Rogue wailed.
“I know, and I’m sorry,” Seth said, wrapping his arms around her.
“We’ll take care of her now,” Bear said in his deep rumble.
“Okay,” Rogue said, too filled with sorrow to fight.
She allowed Seth to lead her away, but cast a final look over her shoulder. Brittany lay on the ground, her hair forming a golden halo around her head. Her eyes stared into the unknown, and she looked fragile. Broken.
It was a sight Rogue would never forget as long as she lived. A scene branded into her soul, forever reminding her of the fragility of life. If she can die, we all can. There’s no such thing as luck or fairness. It’s all just a game. A gamble.
Chapter 10
Rogue stared at Brittany’s freshly-dug grave with dry eyes. She was all cried out and had nothing left to give. She felt cold, numb to the world. Her friend was dead, and that was all there was to it.
Tony and Seth lowered the wrapped body into the hole, and Bear dropped in the first shovelful of earth. One by one, the men took turns filling the grave. They topped it off with a layer of rocks to discourage scavengers, and Paul planted a wooden cross at the top end.
Afterward, Seth asked, “Would anyone like to say anything?”
David stepped forward and cleared his throat. “I do.”
“Go ahead, David,” Seth said.
“Sandi and Aret aren’t here today, but I know what they’d say if they were. Brittany was the best of us. She was fun, daring, clever, and loyal. If one of us got into trouble, she was the first to take the blame. If one of us got picked on, she was there to defend us. Headstrong and brave, she never took no for an answer. I will miss her more than I can say.” David dashed the tears from his cheeks and took a step back.
“Paul?” Seth prompted.
“I don’t… I’m no good at speeches. Even in school, I struggled to learn, and Brittany was always there to help me with my homework or argue with the teachers when they gave me a hard time. She… I… the world is poorer without her.”
“Rogue? Would you like to say something?” Seth asked.
Rogue opened her mouth, but couldn’t speak. A ball of ice was lodged in her throat, and it refused to budge. Finally, she shook her head. Unable to look at Brittany’s last resting place any longer, she walked toward the river’s edge. With her arms wrapped around her middle, she stared
