Chapter 1
Ghost
Utter chaos unfoldsas I stand there, rooted to the spot, helpless to stop what’s coming.
That freakshow cannibal, 9, tears off his clothes and dips out. I shake my head, staring after him.
We run full pelt towards Jax’s car. Adrenaline rushes through me.
We did it! We escaped that horrible place.
We managed to get Bryan, and Patients 3 and 6 out of there. The latter two are interesting, to say the least.
The reunion of Valley and Bryan tugs at my heartstrings. I want that with my Malishka so badly.
Then, Hunter and his sister finding each other again blows my mind. Patient 6 is Cynthia!
Now, the rustle of the trees announces someone coming. My eyes widen as I make out Purge’s father with his full entourage. He literally roars when he sees us, going straight for Purge, who isn’t fucking having it anymore.
Patient 9 intercepts him, thankfully. It distracts him from getting closer to Purge.
It's still scary, though. If he gets his hands on Purge... fuck.
I frown as I hear a car coming from the opposite direction on the small, deserted, two-lane road. This is not a main road. Anyone who’s going anywhere other than The Retreat shouldn’t even know this road is here.
The car slows down. I glance over at everyone congregated by Jax’s huge SUV. Jax is standing by the driver’s side door. Valley and Bryan are in the middle. Hunter and Cynthia are a bit in front of them. The guys are huddled up in between the trees and the car. I'm between them and Malishka; with Malishka closest to the road itself. Patient 3 is standing slightly behind her.
The car slows even more; the sound of “pop, pop, pop” filling the air, echoing loudly through the area.
I furrow my brow in confusion. Why are there shots coming from that car?
I whip my head around when I hear Cynthia scream in terror.
“No, no! I just got you back!”
Harris slides to the ground, blood blooming over his abdomen.
Everything in the world seems to come to a screeching halt, as the one thing I cherish above all is brutally ripped from my aching arms.
“Hunter! No!” Malishka screams, and confusion flits over her face. Something is very wrong.
I rush to her side as she slides to the ground; my body curled around hers. “Malishka!”
She isn’t moving, though her breath is heaving, and her eyes are frantic.
“I don’t— I don’t understand...” she attempts to say.
My hands feel wet and warm, and I yank them back to see my love’s life’s blood pouring from her back.
“Help! She's been shot in the back! HELP!” I holler loudly, panic threatening to overtake me.
Malishka's breathing gets choppy, and I can feel her fading right in my arms. Those beautiful emerald-green eyes start to slide closed, but she fights it.
“Wait, I forgive you,” she chokes. “All of you. I love you, Ghost. Take care of 3…” She pauses, gasping for breath. “Please promise me...”
“No. Don't say that, Malishka. You can’t leave me. Please.”
“Promise me?—”
