the knife across my other wrist. He was laughing the entire time, telling me he should have done this long ago. I pulled my arm free from him. I curled up into a ball, holding my arms to my chest, my blood was everywhere. I felt my head spinning. I couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t stop bleeding. I was dying and I knew it. I could feel myself slipping away. I put my head down and closed my eyes.
“Pay backs are hell aren’t they, Corrine? You messed with the wrong guy this time. I will think of your dead lifeless body tonight on my flight to Mexico. They will just think you finally committed suicide and never even suspect me. Rather clever setting you up like this, it really is.” I could hear him running down the stairs now. He was on his phone again talking. “It’s done. She’ll be dead in about ten, fifteen minutes tops.” He laughed loudly as I heard him slam the front door shut.
I felt so cold, so alone, as I heard my cell phone ringing. I knew Will was coming, but I was not going to be here for much longer. I felt my breathing slow down. I was too weak to hold open my eyes, and I just wanted to go to sleep. I licked my lips; they were so dry. I wished I could have a drink one last time. I wished I could look into William’s eyes once more, feel his strong arms around me. I longed to feel his gentle kiss on my lips, but I knew time was running out.
I tightened my arms to my chest, hoping it would slow my blood’s descent from my weakening body. I could barely hear what sounded like the front door being kicked in. I turned my head deeper into the pillows, which were now stained with blood. I feared Todd was coming back to make sure I was dead.
“Corrine… Corrine!” The voice I prayed to hear just once more was here. “Oh God, what did he do to you?” I couldn’t answer. My body was too weak. I opened my eyes slightly, and looked down at my arms.
“Oh my God!” Will gasped again. He quickly ran to the bathroom and got towels. I had to wonder how seeing all this blood would affect him, would he lose control? It wouldn’t matter. I figured I was already nearly dead anyway. I was like a rag doll as he wrapped each one of my arms tightly in clean bath towels. My body was completely limp.
“Will, help me.” I was only able to whisper. I could feel him scoop me up into his arms. He cradled me close to his chest protectively. I felt him grab his cell and dial for help. I leaned into him, thankful he was here. I could hear him tell the 911 operator the details and my address.
“I’m so sorry Corrine. I had to take care of two of Todd’s friends when I went to get into my car to come to you. I never should have left you alone, I’m so sorry. I should have seen this coming.” I could feel him kissing my forehead, stroking my hair. He told me over and over to hang on.
“I don’t think I can. I’m so cold Will.” I could barely speak my body was getting weaker.
“You have to try, please. You know I can’t live without you. Corrine, you must fight for me, for us.”
I could feel Will adjusting the towels. I could hear him on the phone as I drifted in and out of consciousness. It was getting harder to breathe. I suddenly felt so much pressure on my chest it was hard to breathe. I tensed in William’s arms trying to keep air going into my lungs.
“What is it sweetie? You have to stay still if you can.”
“I…I can’t breathe. I….” I started crying. I couldn’t do this anymore it was no use my body was betraying me. I knew it was shutting down. William was holding me begging me to fight and I had nothing left in me to fight with.
“No, my angel. Please hold on, the ambulance is coming. I hear it.” He kissed my cheek. “Just a minute longer please.” Will’s voice was muffled now. I turned my head into his chest, clinging to his shirt with my fingers desperate not to leave him. I held onto him as if he could keep me alive.