The darkness threatens to take me and I welcome it. Even with Royce’s threat to my Vera, I can no longer fight. I’m hurting too badly, losing too much blood.

 I’m broken – inside and out.

Let me die… please, let me die…

 The darkness shifts, my eyes surely deceiving me when Doctor Cullen’s face hovers over mine, his brow creased with worry, pity, and something I cannot define.

 His eyes are pitch black, making me wonder – even in my feeble state.

 I’m sure I imagine his whispered, “Such a waste…”

 He lifts me in his arms.

 I moan.