After Walter''s car took off, Alexander shot a quick nce at Sean.


    Sean got the hint right away, waved everyone off, and he and Matthew hightailed it back to the hotel.


    Sean ran a few steps, then doubled back to grab Alexander''s coat.


    Quinn came barreling down the road on her horse, pulling up hard in front of Alexander, yanking the reins.


    She had her phone out, its light hitting Alexander. When she saw his face, her expression shifted, and she jumped off the horse in a hurry.


    "What happened to you?" she asked, her voice full of worry.


    She held the phone up, checking him out. His face was a bloody mess. She grabbed his hand, and yep, more blood.


    Alexander weakly lifted his head, gave her a little shake of his head, and said, "I''m good."


    "Did someonee after you?" Quinn asked.


    "Nah, just helped a old man who fell off his horse. This blood ain''t mine," Alexander said, barely hanging on.


    Quinn frowned, not buying it.


    She thought, ''Why would an old man be riding a horse at this hour? And to fall off-how bad was it to bleed this much?''


    "Where''s the old man?" she asked.


    "He''s gone," Alexander replied.


    "Alexander!" Quinn snapped, not even sure why she was so mad. "If you''re hurt, go to the hospital. Can''t you find someone? Why are you just sitting here? What good is it to die here?" "I got no money," Alexander said.


    Quinn was speechless.


    Alexander added, "No cars around here."


    Quinn was quiet for a moment, then helped him up, asking, "Can you walk?"


    Alexander raised his hand to his mouth, coughed twice, and smeared more blood on his face. Quinn couldn''t tell if it was from his hand or his mouth.


    He leaned on her and said, "I can''t walk."


    Quinn felt a wave of frustration. She helped him towards the horse, saying, "Get on. I''ll take you to the hospital."


    Alexander grabbed the saddle and got on the horse. Quinn was a bit surprised by how quick he moved.


    But then he clutched his chest and started coughing like crazy. Quinn didn''t waste any time and jumped on the horse, heading for the hospital.


    As they rode, Alexander reached out and hugged her waist, making her stiffen.


    "Get your hand off," Quinn ordered.


    But instead of letting go, he rested his head on her shoulder. "I''m kinda tired. Gonna nap for a bit," he said weakly.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    "Don''t sleep!" Quinn shouted, more urgent than she realized. She gripped the reins, pushing the horse to go faster. Alexander leaned on her shoulder, and her hair brushed against his nose. He stared at her jaw.


    Without thinking, he tightened his grip around her waist.


    Quinn felt like her waist was about to snap.


    Just as she was about to say something, she heard Alexander''s low murmur in her ear, "It''s been a long time since I held you."


    Quinn didn''t respond, just looked ahead into the dark night, silently urging the horse forward.


    Alexander muttered, "Two years and three months, 823 days, every day I woke up to an empty space beside me. I really missed you."


    The wind was strong, his voice was soft, but in Quinn''s ear, it was crystal clear.


    With the wind blowing, it felt like he hadn''t said anything at all.


    "Shut up!" Quinn cut him off.


    Alexander went quiet, and his hand fell from her waist.


    Quinn''s heart skipped a beat.


    "Alexander?" she called.


    No response.


    The wind seemed to howl louder, making Quinn''s eyes sting. She gripped the reins tighter and stared into the endless darkness ahead, desperately hoping to see some familiar lights.