But he didn’t wake up.
I wobbled to my feet and returned to the door. I hit the handle over and over with new desperation. Finally, the latch caught, and the door opened. I lurched sideways, relief sweeping through me, and stumbled back to Gus.
He was heavier than ever. But the open door gave me new hope. I dragged him to the step and we tumbled down onto the gravel driveway.
Fresh air hit me. And wetness too. It had started to rain.
Gus was still out cold. The notion that I’d imagined him being otherwise took my legs from under me, and I fell onto the damp ground.
Footsteps sounded on the gravel. But I was too dizzy to look up. Was Gus dead?
As my eyes closed for good, I had no fucking idea.