I forced my palm open-a few blood-soaked twenties.


    Didn’t want to owe ke anything when I died, but this was literally all I had.


    I got a nurse to buy drawing paper so I could finish my design.


    ALS is fucked up because it steals your body piece by piece.


    Couldn’t walk anymore, so I drew from my wheelchair.


    When my right hand went numb, I used my elbow, my teeth, whatever worked.


    Day before the finals, when I finally scrawled “Genesis” in the signature box, Iughed and cried at the same time. <fnebda> Follow current nov?ls on find?novel</fnebda>


    staring at my finished design, tears streaming.


    This was myst thing in this world. Hoped it could keep protecting those kids long after I was gone.


    o make tomorrow’spetition, I forced myself through discharge paperwork.


    hat’s when I saw ke babying Brittany through some follow-up appointment.


    Don’t me Skr-she was having a breakdown, hitting me was understandable.”


    rittany showed off her twisted ankle: “Even though she nearly crippled me, don’t go after her for my sake, ke.”


    We’re all old friends. I don’t want drama between you two.”


    A


    ut I had days left-no point wasting energy on her bullshit.


    tarted rolling away when I heard ke’s furious yell:


    SKYLAR! Get your ass over here!”


    pretended not to hear but he grabbed my


    wheelchair.


    Skr, you’ve let me down so bad.”


    is voice like ice: “Brittany tried to HELP you and you attacked her. Do you have any conscience left?”


    What kind of trash upbringing did you have?”


    Apologize to Brittany RIGHT NOW or I’m calling the cops!”


    Looking at this face I used to know so well, I actuallyughed.


    Make the victim apologize to their attacker?


    Go fuck yourself!”


    tried wheeling around him.


    But Brittany snatched my portfolio.


    Skr honey, I forgive you for hurting me, but why are you at the hospital?”


    “Please tell me you’re not stealing medical supplies because the charity scam failed.”


    My heart raced: “Give that BACK!”


    I lunged for it but Brittany threw herself dramatically on the floor, starting sobbing


    Skr, straling is wrong! Even if you kill me, I can’t watch you be a criminalt


    Everyone stared and whispered.


    The whole hallway filled with people shit talking me.


    “That’s MY work-give it back”


    I kept reaching desperately but ke shoved me back.


    te flipped through my sketches, face getting uglier by the second.


    Then looked at me with pure hatred.


    Skr, I waspletely wrong about you.”


    ke, listen, that’s actually my-”


    SHUT UP!”


    ke screamed and threw the papers at me.


    Do you know whose work you STOLE? Do you know what Genesis means to me?”


    She’s a fucking goddess and I won’t let your dirty hands touch her work!”


    He pointed at me, shaking with rage: “I kept giving you chances. I told Brittany not to press charges, but you’re just rotten to the core,”


    Since you have no shame, I’ll show everyone what kind of person you really are.”


    ke grabbed my bandaged hand and violently ripped off the gauze.


    “Love faking injuries for sympathy? Let’s see you fake THIS!”


    The agony made everything go ck and I went limp.


    But ke frozepletely.


    Under my bandage was a raw, bloody crater where my palm used to be.