“Fuck.You scared the shit out of me.”
“You should see the other guy,” I joke, but I’m pretty sure it’s ruined by the coughing fit that follows.
Sterling walks faster.Then more hands appear, and I’m lowered.Someone starts taking my vitals.Oh.Right.
The EMT works around Sterling since he won’t move from my side.Hasn’t stopped staring at me since I woke up, like he can’t quite believe I’m still here.
“You shouldn’t have taken him on alone.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
It’s a fact of life that bad things are going to happen.Of course they are.
How do you protect the people you care about?When the attack can come from any side, intended or not?
You stand up.You fight for change.You give voice to the voiceless.Because the powerful will always try to make you believe they are louder, hoping for your silence.
I will never be quiet about what’s right.
“What happened to Hal?”
Sterling’s expression hardens.“He’s been charged.They have the flash drive, thanks to you.You saved a lot of people from trouble today.”
“I learned from the best.”
The EMT smiles as they give me the all clear and move on to treat someone else.I don’t even think I thanked them.
Oh God, Ma’s going to kill me.I mean, after she plasters me in bubble wrap and makes me promise never to wage a one-woman war in a hostile situation.
“Come on,” Sterling says, holding my hand.“I’ll take you home.”
* * *
Make Your Choice:
take me home*(go to 85)
go home alone(go to 79)
go back(go to 69)
“Where are the hostages?”I ask.
Sterling points at a door down the hallway, then stumbles as I push him toward it.
“Mia, come on.Be smart about this.”Then, inside my head, he says,“Don’t do this.I can’t protect you from here, and I can’t lose you.”
I freeze, my knuckles white on the door handle.My voice is a whisper.“What did you just say?”
“I said, be smart about this.I can help you.”
That’s not what I heard though.
I have to try something.“What’s your favorite color?”
His confusion is understandable, but I need to know if I just did what I think I just did.I keep my eyes on his lips and do not blink.In fact, I’m not sure I’m breathing right now.
“What?”The red of your hair.
