Chapter 212

Annabelle

My phone buzzes, jolting me awake from a deep sleep. The screen is blindingly bright in the darkness of my bedroom, and Nolan's name flashes across it. My heart skips a beat, not just because it's him calling, but because it's 2:17 AM. Nothing good comes from middle-of-the-night phone texts.

N: Ashlynn's fever spiked. In ambulance heading to Memorial Hospital. I know it's the middle of the night but please, if you can come... I can't do this alone. I need you here. We both do.

I'm already out of bed, fumbling for the light switch.

A: I'm on my way. 15 minutes. Stay strong. I'm coming.

I'm already pulling clothes from my drawer. There's no universe where I wouldn't go to them. Where I wouldn't go to her.