’ Mary pulled me into her arms and held me close as she cried silent tears against my shoulder. And I sat there holding her, my eyes surprisingly dr.... It was a strange feeling, comforting my always smiling friend, and the fact that she now knew about my life made things feel absolutely surreal, like a weird dream. Elena walked into the room again, quietly taking in the scene. She pointed at Mary and then pointed towards the exit and I shook my head slightly. I needed to talk to Mary, to get her. ...she just never-”“I understand, Will. I know your mom is your only parent, and you feel protective of her. But she’s an adult, she can take care of herself” Brook walked back to her place at the table, and continued with her homework, “You know, with Maria out of the house, tonight could be our sex night?”“Yes, ma’am!” Will said, his spirits now rose with the thought of sex. This became evident as he began to tent in his basketball shorts.“Getting excited there aren’t you, Will” Brook said,. “Let’s go, Kussler!” Mr. Watts, the P.E. Coach, growled at me. “You’re up!” If it wasn’t for being able to watch the girls jumping around and showing off I’d totally hate the gymnastics unit. I ran toward what I call the “pummel horse,” hit the spring board, and launched myself into the air. As I hung weightless, I couldn’t help but notice the way Danielle’s over-developed breasts bounced when she made her dismount from the balance beam. Next thing I knew the gym was turning the wrong way up.. I wasn’t dead after all. I came around lying in one of the beds of the outpost and could feel no pain or other ill effects. My right hand, my eyes and in the sweetest revelation my tongue worked fine.Wetmouth was sitting right next to me, putting things and instruments back into the box of a field surgery kit.She turned her head and her voice vibrated with emotions. “That was close, Eric. Very close, you almost died.”I touched my throat where she had stabbed me and felt a bandage. “Tell me.