“Brennan!” She screamed. “He keeps groaning!” She was sobbing. “You left me, you asshole!”

The rain had finally drawn back, and the night was distinctly quiet. Tilly's shrill voice cut through every inch of me. I was terrified.

I sat beside her. I tried to wrap myself around her. She shoved me off. I told her Pete had called for help. I told her the ambulance was coming. I told her my parents would take us home.

I told her we were safe.

The man in the truck let out a long, wailing moan. Pete stood stock still beside the truck, staring at us wide-eyed. Eventually, we heard the sirens.


I decided not to take a gap year, after that. I didn't follow Tilly to Ohio State, either. I found a community college in Edison, New Jersey that fit my tastes. I liked being close to a big city. I liked being far away from South Vienna.