AFTERSHOCKSHis eyes snapped open with a loud gasp. His chest rose and fell heavily as he took in sharp breaths. A rotten smell instantly filled his lungs and he gagged. Slowly, he looked around. Wet pavement. Trash bags. Headlights whizzing past him.Those bastards had left him by the sidewalk outside the hotel in a heap of rain-soaked trash bags. “Fucking hell," he muttered under his breath as a rat ran across his chest and disappeared beneath the bags. Closing his eyes, he tried to move but was immediately pulled back down by the pain screaming through his ribs. He groaned through gritted teeth as his head began to bang. Blood coated his lips and the taste of iron filled his mouth. They had beaten him up so bad, but at least they had left him breathing. He looked up at the night sky, his body aching all over. “Nope," he muttered in a hoarse voice. “I think I'll just… lay here for a while.”Eyes shut, he sank into the bags as he tried steadying his breathing. His temple throbb