The Weight of Failure

Zane’s body jerked violently from the impact and then went limp, slumping against the couch as blood spread in a dark, crimson pool across his chest. His eyes—once filled with pain and desperation—glazed over, losing their light.

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe, my entire world collapsing around me. This can’t be happening.

“No!” I screamed. My body moved on instinct, rushing toward Zane, but on