She turned her face toward mine. “I’m okay. They say it’s mostly the wrist stuff.”

I touched her thick bandages. “What happened?”

I saw a flash of emotions on her face. Fear, anger, and sadness. She informed me, “A zip tie. It wasn’t great for moving around.”

It felt like an actual zip tie cinched around my heart. I tilted my head backward and looked at the ceiling.

My mother rubbed my shoulder. “Once Taylor’s dad gets here, I’ll send him up. I’ll text you as well. You okay?”

I grabbed my mom’s hand. I wished she could stay—just having her here felt important. Like this whole situation would be easier to stomach with her support.

“Thanks. We’ll be good.” I kissed her cheek and then turned my attention back to Taylor. Her eyes were closed.

The nurse got some readings and checked Taylor’s temperature. “You need anything, sweetheart?”

Taylor mouthed, “No, thank you.” Then the nurse and my mother were gone. I closed the curtain even though it did very little to grant us privacy.

Taylor met my eyes and then she had tears.

I felt a surge of guilt. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

She touched my face and the bulky bandage grazed my chin. “Listen, I have to tell you something, and I wish I didn’t have to be the one to tell you.”

I pulled back so I could look in her eyes. “What’s up?”

My mind reeled with what she could have encountered that would have to have her reading me like this. All of it was terrifying.

“Endgame—he didn’t make it. A guy stabbed him. I’m so sorry.”

It was like her words didn’t make sense. Like she was talking in another language at high speed.

“Didn’t make what?” I was not putting it together. I mean, I guess my heart and my brain were on different frequencies.

“He died. He tried to help me and he got stabbed.” I fell into the hard plastic chair next to her bed.

“Were you stabbed?” This was a nightmare. An actual, horror movie style nightmare.

“No. I wasn’t. It was him. He was stabbed because he wouldn’t leave me there. He told them to go through him to get to me, and they did.”

I didn’t know who “they” were.

“Taylor, what the hell happened? Please, start from the beginning.”

She took a deep breath. She seemed exhausted, but I had to know. I needed to know.

“When I was at the event with you, I saw Endgame. He had on a veil and said he had something important to give you.” She paused before continuing. “Maybe I shouldn’t tell you this? Is it bad to tell you what Endgame did?” She placed her injured wrists on her lap.

“Please tell me.” My voice was demanding, but soft.