50

CASSY

I knelt beside Teddy, hands shaking as I wiped the blood from his face. Relief that he was alive clashed with the horror of what I'd just done.

Rod's lifeless body lay a few feet away. Teddy's wounds, which had seemed so severe moments ago, were already healing under my touch. I kissed him repeatedly, each a desperate attempt to convince myself that he was still with me, still mine. Still alive.

As his flesh mended, the reality of what I'd done began to sink in. I'd killed someone. My chest tightened, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps as the enormity of it crashed down on me.

I lay down beside Teddy, unable to tear my eyes away from Rod's body. The adrenaline that had carried me through the fight dwindled, leaving me cold and shaking. Teddy pulled me into his arms, but his warmth couldn't chase away the chill that had settled deep.

I tried to focus on him, on the fact that he was safe, that I'd saved him. But the image of Rod's twisted, lifeless face kept pulling me b