Someone dressed in black is aiming at us.
I don’t even think about it as I push Vaughn out of the way.
And then pain explodes in my side.
I’ve been shot instead.
Fuckthis.
5
VAUGHN
We’re under attack.
It takes me only a split second to realize that.
I heard the gunshots, and my reflexes spiked fast, but not fast enough.
Not as quick as Yulian’s.
Not only did he shove me out of the way before I could protect myself, but he’s also hauled me toward a bush out of the snipers’ view.
I grab on to his arm and pull him with me as he scrambles.
Because he’s shot.
A splash of red widens on his side, soaking his striped shirt through. His face pales instantly, his lips are dry, and his temples are beading with sweat, but his eyes are bright and focused.
So focused, actually, it’s a bit unsettling.
We throw ourselves behind the bush, and I make sure he lands on top of me. Again, because he’s injured.
My hand lands on his back, holding him still as the earth keeps me grounded—or more like my backpack is spooning me, the straps digging into my shoulders.
Yulian’s heavy, and I struggle as he nearly crushes me, but my fingers dig into him to keep him in place.
He looks down at me with a little pained grin. “Are you sure? I’m all bloody. Isn’t that against your cleanliness code or some shit?—”
“Shh.” I place my other hand on his mouth as I strain to hear any movement. “Stop talking for a second.”
I can feel his lips curving beneath my palm, but he doesn’t attempt to talk again. Instead, he plants a hand on the dirt near my shoulder and tries to hold himself up.
But I press on his back and knock him down again.
“Stay still,” I whisper-yell with a tinge of both rage and annoyance.
At myself. For not being fully prepared.
Yulian got shot because he was trying to save me.
Why would he?
He’s not my guard or a family member. We’re not even friends. Pretty sure he hates my guts and would love to leave this camp as much as I would.
So why…?
I don’t have time to ponder on that as the string of gunshots echo around us, our guards and the assailants each trying to get the upper hand.
