She choked, her face turning red as if she were drowning. Alex rushed over to her, reaching his hands out as her eyes fluttered and she collapsed into his arms. He lowered her to the floor, cradling her head in his lap.“No, no, no! Please!” I shrieked, my whole body convulsing. “This can’t happen. Don’t let her be dead.”Alex looked up at me with sadness in his eyes.I bent down to him, gripping his upper arm, not wanting to touch Mom and inflict any more of my poisoned blood on her. “I’ll come with you. I’ll do whatever you say. Just please bring her back. Please!” My sobbing was uncontrollable.Alex nudged me back and lowered Mom’s head to the floor. “Stay back. Don’t bleed or cry on her body. I need room.”I stumbled back, so grateful that he was going to save her. He reached into his pocket with his eyes still closed and pulled out his knife.“What are you doing?” I panicked, afraid I’d been right to be afraid of him before.He ignored me and sliced his right hand with the blade.
