I glanced at Nina and saw hope in her eyes. I didn't want to hurt Jillian, but if I had to, I would.
“Please, let me try talking to her first.”
I looked back at Jillian and tried to think of a way I could catch her. She moved quickly, but there was a lag in her left leg. If I could get her down, maybe I could hold her. But it wouldn't be for long. Jillian had strength, and I was already starting to get tired.
“You'll get a minute,” I said, knowing that was all I'd be able to hold her off for. Maybe if I had someone else helping, I could have lingered, but with this darkness holding us in, it was just us here. I couldn't call for anyone to help us.
And if I were to fall, Nina would be alone. I couldn't let that happen.
Jillian ran at me again, and I held my ground this time. I watched each way her limbs moved before I ducked and body-slammed her down to the ground. Jillian screamed loudly, thrashing at me to get herself free.
I pinned Jillian down, holding her. But she bucked, and I nearly lost grip of her. I quickly grabbed her arms and tightly held them to her side. I was using all of my strength to hold her, and my arms shook.
“Nina, if you're going to do something, do it now. I won't hold her for long,” I yelled, not even sure I could for an entire minute. It was like I was trying to hold off two people at once with the amount of strength she had.
Nina walked closer and bent down to Jillian's level. Nina looked scared as she stared at her friend. “Jillian, if you're in there, you have to fight this. You have to fight to get free. It's the only way out.”
Jillian thrashed harder, and I tightened my grip. My arms shook, growing tired. Nina looked at me, terrified now. I could see tears in her eyes.
“Try again,” I pleaded. I didn't want this to end badly, and if anyone could get through to Jillian, it was her.
Nina reached out, grabbing Jillian's face. “Jillian, please. You're my best friend. I need you. If you don't come back from this, I'll never have anything like you. Who am I going to buyplants with? Who am I going to call when I need a friend? Please, come back to us.”
Jillian's movements grew weak, and I knew it was working. “Keep going.”
Nina nodded. “Please. I need you. I need a friend here. Someone who understands the importance of plants and family. I need someone to teach me how to enjoy awful movies and how to cook fish right. I need someone to sit with me when Frank is busy. Someone to laugh with me when I'm being stupid. I need you. So, I need you to fight this.”
Jillian started to stiffen, and then her entire body sagged. I nearly dropped her as her entire body gave out. I laid Jillian down and realized she was out cold. She was pale and cold to the touch. I quickly checked for a pulse, feeling it.
Nina rushed over and shook Jillian. “Jillian? Are you okay? Are you alive?”
“She's out cold,” I said, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in my side. My eyes widened as the knife was embedded in my side. My eyes widened. When did she get me? I didn't even see her stab me in the side.
Jillian's eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. “Oh my god!”
I grabbed the knife, pulled it free, and placed my hand over it. Pain erupted as blood trailed over my fingers. I took a deep breath in and felt my body shake. “Frank! Oh my god!” She looked over her shoulder, and the darkness started to disappear around us. I could see people in the distance, but my world seemed to shake.
My legs gave out, and I tumbled forward. Nina quickly caught me, trying to keep me up. “Frank! Oh my god! Hold your hand tighter around that wound.”
I swallowed, trying to find my words. Nina clung to me tightly, and I felt her warmth. I never wanted to lose it.
“If I don't make it…” My words fell flat as it felt hard to breathe. I felt her hand pressing hard onto the wound now. She was yanking her jacket off, ripping the inner part. She yanked it hard onto my side, and I winced.
“Don't say that,” Nina snapped, looking at me angrily. “You're going to be okay.” She placed her other hand on my forehead, looking at me. “You're going to be okay. You’re Frank. Nothing hurts you, right?” Her fingers pressed harder, and I snapped my head back at the pain.
“Fuck, that hurts,” I whispered.
“Deep breaths.” She said softly as voices grew closer to us. “Stay with me, Frank. You can't go anywhere. I won't let you.”
I took in the sky, wondering if this was what the darkness wanted. Me dead. It had to be, and it would get its wish.
I licked my lips. “Nina, I wish I had treated you better. I wish I could change a lot of things. If this is the end, I want you to know that I love you. I know I've not shown it, but I do. I love watching you grow and become the person you are. And I've come to enjoy the changes you made in my life.”
Nina looked in pain as she stared at me. “Stop saying that. You're going to be okay. Kerr is coming with help.”
I felt tired as I stared at her. I wanted to remember her face when this was all over. Nina had changed my life so much. She'd taken up a large part of it, and I couldn't even give her a real thank you. Just a half-assed one.
I don't remember the darkness slipping over me, but I knew it wasn't like before. It was softer, like someone was holding me in a hug. I could hear Nina's voice, and it was so caring and filled with worry.
