The Space Between Heartbeats

Stay With Me

Ruby’s POV

I came home after picking JJ up from football practice, kissed Nolan, and went to check in on Danni, only to find her room empty.

“Where’s Danni, hun?” I called.

“I haven’t seen her. Thought she was with you or Em,” Nolan replied.

That wasn’t like her. Danni always let us know if she was going to be late.

I tried to shake it off—maybe she got held up studying.

But later, while doing the dishes, I glanced toward the shed and froze.

The bike was gone.

“Nolan… did we get rid of the old bike?”

“Not that I know of. Why?”

“It’s gone. And Danni...”

I didn’t get to finish.

Nolan was already moving—grabbing keys, shoes, wallet, and JJ.

We raced to the car and started driving.

I tried her phone. No answer.

Tried again from Nolan’s. Nothing.

Dannielle, where are you?

We searched all her usual spots. Still no sign of her.

Then JJ spoke up from the back seat.

“Try the beach.”

A long shot. But what did we have to lose?

The road curved sharply.

The sky hung low and heavy, grey and warning.

“That corner’s bad,” Nolan muttered. “They need better signs.”

I barely nodded—

Then I saw it.

A twisted frame of metal.

A crumpled bike in the ditch.

Shattered fragments scattered like broken stars in the grass.

And a few metres away—

A girl.

Still.

Unmoving.

Blood in her hair.

My breath caught.

My heart shattered.

It wasn’t just some girl.

It was my girl.

It was Danni.

“Nolan—” I gasped, already throwing the door open.

He swerved the car onto the shoulder, tires screeching.

I ran.

“Dannielle!”

I dropped to my knees beside her, hands shaking as I searched for a pulse—

Weak.

But there.

Nolan’s voice was tight and urgent as he called emergency services.

I didn’t wait.

I cupped her face, whispering, “I’m here, baby. I’m here.”

She didn’t move.

Didn’t open her eyes.

Blood trickled from her temple.

I pressed a cloth to her head with trembling fingers.

Praying without realising.

The ambulance wasn’t coming fast enough.

Nolan swore.

“We’re taking her ourselves.”

I nodded, mute with fear.

He lifted her carefully, cradling her like she might break.

JJ sobbed in the backseat.

I climbed in beside her, gripping her hand like it was the only thing keeping her with me.

Halfway to the hospital, I pulled out my phone and called Em.

My fingers shook so badly I almost dropped it.

It rang. Once. Twice.

A voice answered—not Em’s, but familiar. Cole.

“Ruby? We’ve been looking—we didn’t mean to keep you out of the loop—”

“There’s been an accident,” I cut in, my voice raw. “It’s Danni. We’re heading to County Hospital. Get there. Now.”

I ended the call.

And turned back to Danni.

Held her hand tighter.

Whispered over and over:

“Stay with me, Danni.”

“Stay with me.”