I move immediately, rushing toward her. I grab my gun mid-run, disengaging the safety as I go.
Get to her.
I need to get to he?—
“If I’m going down, I’m taking you with me!” Aiden yells, lifting the gun and aiming it right at Jessica.
“No!”
Stopping in my tracks, I raise my arms. My finger curls around the trigger, and I fire. Just as another shot rings out.
For a moment, everything seems to go still.
All the air is knocked out of my lungs as everything plays out in a slow motion.
Jessica’s wide eyes meet mine.
The fear, the love, the pain… It’s all there, staring back at me as she falls to the ground.
“No!” I scream, a sound so guttural I barely recognize it as my own.
The corner of Aiden’s mouth tips upward, a red stain spreading rapidly over his shirt, before he too tumbles to the ground.
Loud yelling surrounds me as flashlights come closer.
My gun falls from my fingers as I jolt into motion.
I push harder, every muscle in my body aching from the strain to get to her.
Get to her. Get to her. Get to her.
My knees give out the moment I reach her. I collapse at Jessica’s side, unsure of where to touch her so as not to hurt her.
“Jessica, baby…”
I gently turn her onto her back. My hand lands on her side, and I feel something sticky under my palm. I turn my hand over, noticing the red stain on my skin.
“No.” I shake my head, pressing my hand back against the spot, putting pressure on her wound. “No, please, baby, don’t do this to me. Trouble…”
Her eyes peek open, those golden irises unfocused as she glances at me, her voice low and raspy as she tries to speak, but only a low croak comes out.
“Shh…It’s fine. You’re fine. Help is on the way. Just hold on.”
She shakes her head, blinking a few times.
“Y-you…”
I lean closer, brushing my lips against her temple. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. Everything’s going to be okay. Just hold on.”
Another shake of her head.
“R-run…” She sucks in a shaky breath, struggling to voice every word. “T-to… Y-you…”
“I know.” I kiss her again. “You did so good. So fucking good, baby. Now, just hold on?—”
Her lips twitch up for a fraction of a second.
That’s all I get.
