The boy is grabbing my throat and choking me. He has pulled me off of the Fire Girl.
Air. I need some air. My neck hurts. His hands are. Are hurting my neck. Air. I need some air.
My nails claw at his hands and wrists and fingers. He doesn't let go.
Let go! Let go! Let go! I need some air! Let me go! I need some help! Let me go!
His other hand moves away and I get a gulp of air. Enough to scream for Cato. Enough to scream for life.
Run, Cato! Run! Help me! I need air! I need help! I need a knife!
His hand is back. Not around my throat. Around a rock. It's going to hit me!
Help! Cato run! Run, Cato! There's a rock! He's going to-
The rock comes down on my head and the boy lets me go. I fall and feel dizzy. Fire Girl and the boy are beginning to run away as I slouch onto the ground, one hand on my head.
No… blood… that's good… right Cato?
I see him as he crashes through the forest. He falls onto his knees next to me. His hands find mine.
Cato… my head hurts…
Once I had a headache after Cato gave me a concussion in school. He tried to make me laugh. He danced around the room like an idiot. I want him to make me laugh again. But instead, he looks ready to cry.
Don't cry… the sponsors… sponsors won't like you… Cato… there's a rock… it hit me…
He's telling me something. His voice keeps cracking like he's sad.
Why would you be… sad…?
He's telling me to stay. Telling me to stay with him. He's squeezing my hand. He's brushing some of my hair off my face. He's crying. He tells me to stay over and over again.
Of course… I'll stay… where… where else would… I… go?
He's wrapping his arms around me and softly hugging me. I'm on his lap. He begins to rock me back and forth like a little girl who skinned her knee. I lean my head onto his chest. His tears fall onto me now, leaving clean streaks on my dirty face.
Cato… don't cry... the sponsors… Cato… don't cry… I'll cry…
My own tears begin to clean my face as he whispers for me to stay.
Where… would… I… go…?
Then he kisses my forehead. A dull pain shoots through me. But I don't react. He's never like this so I want to savor this moment. Tomorrow I'll tease him about it. Tomorrow we will laugh.
Cato… Cato… Cato…
His name is so strong. Like him. Like his strong arms around me, rocking me back and forth. Like his strong chest, protecting me with his heartbeat. Like his voice, asking for me to stay over and over.
Cato… I… will… stay…
My eyes close and he asks me to stay one more time… then I leave.
