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Spencer can't be dead

That's the only thought going through my mind as I drop my hands to my lap and turn my attention back up to the body in the tree It's just … swinging there, the rope creaking against the limb

“You're alive,” Tobias whispers, eyes watering as he looks at Ranger He dashes his arain his co to do, I'd make fun of him if … if …

“Why are you holding that rope?” Ranger asks as Church rushes forward to where Micah's standing, helping him to undo the knot

“Why do you think I'e hair wet and plastered to his forehead We're all shivering, teeth chattering, and probably in serious, serious need of et him down”

Rangerand over to the rope

Please don't let it be Spencer, I repeat over and over in my mind, like some sort of uilty about wishing it were so Please, god, let hi him

We never really got a good, proper hug in there, like the one Ranger gave ht Sluht us was so hard Not toin the hallway yesterday …

It can't end like that

I won't let it

I stand up and rush over to help with the rope Ranger just sits down heavily on the ground beneath the body It's too far up to actually see the person's face, so I don't look too hard I won't let e the outcome

“I have a knife,” I whisper, pulling out the serrated blade that Ranger gaveit over to Church He's breathing so hard, and his face is as white as a ghost He doesn't look at all like hih, to see this sort of near-panic in his expression He's human, after all “Cut him down, please Please” My voice starts to shake as I step back and wait for Church and the twins to take care of it