“…Ryke,” he chokes, tears slipping out of his eyes. “No.” My knuckles whiten on the rope. “What do you fucking mean?” I know what he means. “…leave…me,” he cries. He’s crying, his chin trembling. My nose flares, my eyes clouding. I shake my fucking head. “I can’t.” I can’t leave him here, even if it’ll save my life.
