I follow. To stop him. Lungs fucking ablaze. I don’t even reach the curb before Akara tackles me. My chest and knees thud to the hot cement. No, no—fucking no! “Get off!” I scream between gritted teeth, and I thrash against Akara. “Get the fuck off me!” Someone stop my brother. My chin digs into pavement, eyes wide-open. Super-glued to this misery.
Let’s just add this to the 2024 cry count😭
