More Than We Can Tell

Sirens are everywhere now, but they’re too late.

I was almost too late. I tried to wait, but I couldn’t.

He would have killed her. I could see it when he tackled her. He would have killed her.

My first punch almost sent Ethan to the ground. I wish I’d had the momentum to knock him flat, but I was off balance from dragging him off her. I hurt him, but I didn’t knock him unconscious.

He’s quick, and he tackles my midsection.

Ethan is not like Matthew. He’s got some solid mass, and fury is a good motivator. He gets me off my feet. The pavement hurts when I land, especially since he’s on top of me.

But then he draws back to hit me. He leaves himself wide open.

Every movement is so clear, almost happening in slow motion. My thoughts aren’t clouded with self-doubt. Just crystal clarity.

I can’t hit him from the ground. He’s got the advantage. I lunge inside his movement and take control of his midsection. I duck my head into his shoulder. I brace one foot and flip him over.

Now I’m on top. I’m in control.

I’ve never hit someone from this position. I wait for my brain to imagine it, going too far, hitting him too hard, splintering bone and shattering his face. I wait for fear and hesitation to kick in.

While I’m waiting, training has already taken over. I’ve hit him twice. He’s still. Blood is on his face, on my hands, on the pavement.

Oh. Oh no.

I think of my father.

It would take nothing.

Your hand.

For just a moment.

But Ethan’s chest rises. He’s breathing. He’s alive.

My wrist didn’t like me before. Now it hates me. Pain like fire lives in my forearm.

I look at Emma. Tears have made streaks of her makeup. A bruise has formed along the side of her face. She’s hurt, but she’s staring up at me.

“Are you okay?” I say. I want to go to her, but I don’t want to leave him in case he wakes up.

She nods quickly. Her eyes stare up at me with some kind of wonder. “You found me.”

“Yes,” I say. “I found you.”

She chokes on a sob and swipes at her face with both hands. “I did what you said. I tried to hold on to him.”

“I know. Like I said, fearless.”

She chokes on a laugh. “I’m so not fearless.”

Police cars fly into the parking lot. The sirens are deafening. There’s an ambulance, too, and Emma is quickly hidden by EMTs and paramedics.

The police arrest Ethan.

They arrest me, too.

Declan was right. It is terrifying.