“Is everything okay?” Raul mutters beside me. I clear my throat and nod, seeing the look of concern etched on his face. I know this is something I don’t want him to hear, so I mouth ‘excuse me’ and step out of the car. Panic rises inside me, and the night air feels even colder.
“What’s going on, Dell? Where are you?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. I can hear his struggling breaths on the call.
“I can’t tell you everything right now, but I need your help,” he coughs again. “I… I was shot,” he says in a weak and pained voice, and I freeze as my heart races.
“What? Dell, I’m calling the cops and the emergency number—”
“No! Don’t do that,” he cuts me off, coughing violently. I can tell he is in pain. I am confused as to why he wouldn’t want me to call the cops. He should have calle
