Death Knows My Name (Memory Keepers) Read Online Free PDF Page A

bitterness that I almost missed.
    “He . . . he has lost enough because of me. We are all that’s left. So if you expect me to be okay with losing him because it’s my so-called duty then you don’t know me at all. I will never be okay with it. I get what you are telling me. I really do. In theory. I get it, everybody has to die. That doesn’t mean I want to be sitting across from the person who is responsible for ruining my life on numerous occasions. You were right, I do think you are a monster.” My voice faltered with emotion, ending in a whisper. I stood up from my chair, knocking it into the person sitting behind me.
    “I-I’m sorry.” I murmured my apology.
    Eric started to stand.
    “Please. Don’t. Don’t follow me.”
    He froze briefly, his eyes sad. My traitorous heart almost relented. He nodded once. I hurried away from Eric as fast as I could. Away from his warm, fluid, yellow eyes and warmer calming voice that caused conflicting turmoil inside me. I told myself not to look back but once I got to the door and far enough away from him, I did. Right into his burgundy eyes.

Chapter 3
    He started to turn from me. “Mayne.” His voice was strained and I had to struggle to hear him, but still it was the most calming sound I’ve ever heard. “I need you to get out of here.”
    I rushed back toward the table. “Is someone going to die?” I whispered, trying to get him to face me. Someone behind me coughed before he could answer.
    I turned around just as all hell broke loose. People at a nearby table were frantic and one of the women called for help. I jerked my head back toward Eric. He was breathing deeply with his eyes closed, still trying to ignore me.
    “No,” I whispered. I nudged Eric away as I ran over to the table. People crowded around the now gasping man. It was so crowded around him that I had to push my way through.
    “Here. Let me help.” I began moving chairs out of the way. “Lay him down here,” I told his tablemates. “Is it a heart attack?”
    The woman closest to me answered. “Asthma.”
    “Everybody, I need for you all to step back. Give him some room, please. And somebody call an ambulance.” I took a breath. Shit. I was in over my head.
    “Is there a doctor, nurse, or anyone here that can help?”
    No one answered. Great, how come in movies there is always a well-certified bystander, but this poor guy gets me and my lunch date, Death himself.
    I kneeled beside the wheezing man. “Sir, this sounds silly but I need you to try and stay as calm as possible. Concentrate on your next breath. Focus. Listen to me. 1,2,3, breathe in. 3,2,1, let it out.” I rubbed his arm in what I hoped was comfort. “That’s it. You are doing just perfect. Breathe in. 3,2,1, let it out.”
    I felt Eric squat behind me. “I can’t . . . I can’t do this with you here. Just go. Please.”
    “Hell no. You can’t have him.”
    “Mayne—”
    “Did you know?” I asked harshly. It was more of an accusation than a question.
    “What?” Eric asked, sounding hurt.
    “Did you choose this place because of him?”
    Eric stood up. “Pau—”
    I quickly cut him off, whispering forcefully in the dying man’s ear. “Focus on me. Nobody else. 1,2,3, breathe.”
    The ambulance pulled up right then and paramedics rushed to us to take over. I retreated, visibly shaken, as the paramedics did their job. Eric was nowhere to be found. I suspected he was pissed at me. I didn’t like it, but what was I supposed to do?
    I was still shaken by the time I got home. Even stopping at the store to get food for dinner hadn’t helped. I had so many feelings boiling inside of me. Anger, the most dominant. I had lost so much and now to learn that I would lose more? Not only that but it was my Heaven-given job? Where could I turn in my two weeks’ notice? Eric trying to guilt me into doing the job like I had an actual choice made my rage almost unbearable. I hadn’t asked for this, I hadn’t been asked, and I