The Boy Who Cried Blood

No one spoke.

I stepped forward.

"I hurt people I care about. I scared the ones who tried to help me. I turned my back on the only ones who could've saved me from myself."

I looked at Zaara.

"I'm sorry for what happened. I don't expect forgiveness."

I looked at Carter.

"I'm sorry I disappeared when you needed someone in your corner."

Then I looked down at unconscious Jojo.

"And Jojo…"

I choked up.

"She saved me. When no one else believed I could be saved, she did. She reached in and pulled me back when I was too far gone to care. And now…"

My voice faltered.

"She might not make it because of me."

Silence.

I looked up.

"I remember everything now. And the truth? It hurts. It's killing me."

I exhaled.

"But I'm not asking for redemption. I'm not asking for a reset."

I clenched my fists.