Big Novel

Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Axel's pupils dilated from the shock, but he gathered himself in no time due to his professional training. The same cannot be said for Xavier, who was freaked out and screamed, "Oh, my God!"
With steeled eyes, Jasper hugged Alyssa tightly and turned her face into his chest. "Lyse, don't look at it."
He was concerned that the scene would only spook her out and exacerbate her fever symptoms. Little did he know that Lyse was undaunted after witnessing much worse horrors on the battlefield years ago.
Far from feeling scared, she examined the scene with curiosity. At the same time, Axel grew excited at the situation. He opened the car door with a twinkle in his eye. "Damn it! Are people getting so professional now? Did he put on makeup? That was pretty frightening. I'll go check it out. If he's fine, I'll make sure he isn't!"
Before Axel left the car, the victim got out of the car and ran away while dancing like a madman. Despite not being in the bustling downtown, the man's odd behavior received much attention from the passersby, who stayed away from him fearfully.
"Hahaha... Hahaha!" After letting out a series of cackles, the man suddenly suffered a seizure. His body later stiffened as he fell face-first onto the ground. A dull thud was heard when the back of his head hit the corner of the road divider. Blood instantly started pooling under his head and colored the tar road.
A few brave passersby went up to check on the man with mortified expressions, debating whether or not to call the ambulance. Alyssa, despite being deep in delirium, immediately entered her role as a doctor at the sight of an injured patient.
When the three men in the car weren't paying attention, she sneaked out of the car. Jasper nervously ran after her in great strides, calling out to her, "Lyse!"
Wrapped in the blanket, Alyssa squeezed her way to the front of the crowd and crouched. Then, she checked on the man's vitals in a professional manner. Her sweat dripped profusely, yet it was the least of her concerns.
Jasper and Axel pushed their way through the crowd to stay guard by her side. It was then Jasper noticed something on the collar of the victim's shirt, a sight that concerned him.
"Call the ambulance now!" a passerby yelled worriedly.
"No need for the ambulance. Just call the police." Alyssa let out a heavy sigh and pronounced sternly, "He's dead."
Terrified, the onlookers stumbled backward.
Ten minutes later, the police arrived and sealed off the scene. Then, they lifted the man's stiff corpse onto the stretcher and draped a white cloth over it.
Alyssa went back to the car, drenched in sweat, but her complexion seemed to have improved. Placing an arm around her shoulder, Jasper asked worriedly, "Lyse, how are you feeling? Are you alright?"
"I'm feeling better, even a little... stuffy." She wiggled with a pensive look.
"Wrap the blanket well. Be good. You'll feel worse if the chill seeps in." Holding her tight, he worried she might take off the blanket.

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