I reached out and steadied him. "Nate? Nate! What happened?!" I asked, worried as I held him close. I placed my ear to his chest and tried to listen to his pulse. It was still steady and strong.

"I-I-" He broke off.

"What is it, Nate?" I urged him to continue as I feared for his life. He reeked of blood, and I kept thinking where his wounds could be. Nate started to mumble something that I could hear. "What?" I asked. My voice almost broke.

I heard him taking a deep breath. ...