Milo’s eyes are closed as he rocks.
Slowly, I reach out and grab the knife.
And then I do what I must—what has to happen for this to end. Even though I know the consequences of what I’m about to do. Milo may be bad, but his successor will be worse.
I grip the knife with both hands and use all of my force to stab into his chest, aiming for his heart.
I pull back, watching the blood squirt. And then I stab again, again, again, again, again, again, again…
So much pain, anger, and anguish go into each stab.
Die, die, die, die.
I hate you.
I hate your truths.
I hate it all.
I pant heavily, tears falling freely, blinding my vision as I stab. Over and over.
And over and over.
And over and over.
Everything consumes me in that moment.
“Stingray...”
The single word brings me out of the fog.
And I weep.
26
Enzo
Milo is dead, and Kai is alive.
I repeat the words over and over in my head, trying to erase everything else I see from my brain.
But I can’t.
I’m so tortured.
And this moment will change me. I’m not sure how yet. But it will. Just like it changed Kai.
I walk slowly to her even though I want to run. I need to keep her calm and get her out of here without her seeing anything else.
Langston is standing behind me, and I hold up a hand for him to wait. I don’t want to overwhelm her, and I don’t know what her current state is.
“Stingray,” I say softly again.
Her watered eyes stare at me, but thank god, the bluish-green color is still there. There is still life behind her eyes, even if she doesn’t feel it yet.
“Can I have the knife?” I ask. I’m afraid if I touch her, she will start stabbing at me. And while I could easily block her, I don’t want her to have any guilt later for attempting to hurt me.
She drops the knife, and I toss it away.