Excused early, Johnny thought, and then that was gone, too.
He had one fraction of a moment to wonder if he had succeeded, and then the question was answered in a bloom of brilliant, soundless red. It was like swooning into a rose.
Johnny Marinville let himself fall, and his last thoughts were of David—had David gotten out, had David gotten clear, was he all right now, would he be all right later.
Excused early, Johnny thought, and then that was gone, too.
