Shatter-Me-PDF-Shatter-Me-Series-Shatter-Me-Shatter-Me-1-Tahereh-Mafi (1)

I almost forget to put the car in park when we reach the
vaguely familiar broken building. Adam has to reach over
and do it for me. I help him transition into the backseat, and
he asks me why.
“Because I’m making Kenji drive, and I don’t want your
brother to have to see you like this. It’s dark enough that he
won’t see your body. I don’t think he should have to see you
hurt.”
He nods after an infinite moment. “Thank you.”
And I’m running toward the broken building. Pulling the
door open. I can only barely make out two figures in the
dark. I blink and they come into focus. James is asleep with
his head in Kenji’s lap. The duffel bags are open, cans of
food discarded on the floor. They’re okay.
Thank God they’re okay.
I could die of relief.
Kenji pulls James up and into his arms, struggling a little
under the weight. His face is smooth, serious, unflinching.
He doesn’t smile. He doesn’t say anything stupid. He
studies my eyes like he already knows, like he already
understands why it took us so long to get back, like there’s
only one reason why I must look like hell right now, why I
have blood all over my shirt. Probably on my face. All over
my hands. “How is he?”
And I nearly lose it right there. “I need you to drive.”
He takes a tight breath. Nods several times. “My right leg
is still good,” he says to me, but I don’t think I’d care even if
it weren’t. We need to get to his safe place, and my driving
isn’t going to get us anywhere.
Kenji settles a sleeping James into the passenger side, and
I’m so happy he’s not awake for this moment.
I grab the duffel bags and carry them to the backseat.
Kenji slides in front. Looks in the rearview mirror. “Good to
see you alive, Kent.”
Adam almost smiles. Shakes his head. “Thank you for
taking care of James.”