KELLAN’S POV
My heart rattled so strongly inside my chest that for one instant, I almost believed Carl would hear it. He had Amanda pressed against him with a knife glinting in the poor light that was far too close to her throat for comfort. Her eyes darted to mine, wide, terrified, pleading.
“Carl," I said, stepping forward slowly, my palms up and my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "Let her go. You don't need to do this."
"Stay back!" Carl barked, jerking Amanda closer. She winced as the blade nicked her skin.
I froze. Every instinct in me was screaming to charge him, to rip him away from her. But I couldn't risk it-not when he was this unstable.
“I'm telling you, Kellan, another step closer and she is history!"
“Okay, okay," I said, moving a cautious step backwards. "You're the one in control here, Carl. You've made your point."