~ Ryder ~
I sat in the quiet basement, holding Dad’s hand. His fingers had moved just a tiny twitch but it felt like the biggest thing in the world.
My heart was beating fast. I couldn’t stop staring at his hand, waiting for it to happen again.
It didn’t.
My hands slowly closed into fists at my sides until my nails pressed into my palms. I felt a strong urge to shout. I wanted to shake the bed, turn off the machines, do something to make him wake up. Anything was better than standing there and waiting… watching my hope slowly fade.
“Come on,” I muttered through clenched teeth. “Fight, damn you. You don’t get to quit on me.”
His fingers stayed still.
A low growl came from my throat. I hit the side of the bed hard with my fist. The loud clang echoed through the quiet room. Pain shot
