Xavier’s touch settled on my back. Steadying.
I flinched away.
Not from fear. From horror at what I’d witnessed. What I’d become complicit in.
Two men dead. Dead.
My breathing came too fast. Shallow gasps that didn’t fill my lungs. Hyperventilating.
Cop number one, young. Maybe mid-twenties. Wedding ring on his left finger catching the beam from the fallen flashlight.
Someone’s husband. Someone’s son.
I pressed my palms against my thighs. Tried to force air into my lungs properly. Tried to think through the panic.
They would’ve arrested us. Separated us. Xavier would’ve disappeared into custody where that chip could be activated or he could be silenced permanently.
He’d done this to protect us. To survive.
But they were still dead.
And I was standing here trying to rationalize murder.
My palms shook violently. Whole body trembling despite the cold already numbing my extremities.
Three days ago I was an ER nurse. Saved lives. Helped people.
Now I was an accessory to double homicide.
How did I get here? How did three minutes spiral into this?
Xavier stood motionless several feet away. Giving me space. Waiting.
For what? For me to scream? Run? Call for help?
He’d let me. I could see it in the set of his shoulders. The resignation in his posture. He’d killed to protect us, but he wouldn’t force me to accept it.
The choice was mine.
I could walk away. Flag down the next patrol car. Tell them everything. Xavier forced me to help him. Threatened me. I had no choice.
They’d believe it. Who wouldn’t? The evidence was right there. Two dead officers. Fugitive standing over them. Terrified nurse caught in the crossfire.
Picture-perfect victim.
I’d be safe. Career damaged but salvageable. Life disrupted but recoverable.
Xavier would disappear into the system. Into whatever hell awaited men with chips in their spines and no memory of who put them there.
He’d die. Maybe not immediately. But eventually.
And I’d live with the knowledge I’d left him.
Like I left her.
The thought slammed into me with physical force.
Begging me to come over. Just for a few hours, Clare. I really need you. And I’d been tired. So tired from double shifts. Told her tomorrow. Promised tomorrow.
