Page 34 of Fighting for You

My arms are still wrapped around Ryder and he is still holding firmly to me.

“You are shot,” Matt says, as he approaches us.

Shocked, I glance back to the red spot I saw earlier. Now, a deep, crimson red blood is pouring down his arms, and Ryder’s face is pale.

“He needs help!” I scream out, even though the paramedics have been arguing with me about this.

“I’ve been shot before,” Ryder says, sighing.

“Not the time to be stubborn,” Matt chastises.

The paramedics and Matt finally convince Ryder to get into the ambulance, but not without me as well. I’ll be damned if they take this man away without me.

As the ambulance begins to move, I hold onto Ryder’s hand and vow to never let go.

Chapter 30

Meghan

On the ride to the hospital, the paramedics begin asking Ryder questions about the fire and the gunshot wound he endured. A police officer is also riding with us, taking down notes, too.

From what I have heard, Nathan reached for his gun at the same time Ryder drew his. However, two of the trained guards who were staked outside the fences of the Port witnessed the entire thing. They were able to shoot Nathan, wounding him, but not before Nathan managed to fire a shot into Ryder’s arm.

Listening to Ryder replay the events made me cringe. I hated that he had to go through that, but he told the events like he was replaying a moment from a sports game. His face stayed stoic and his voice never wavered.

When we arrived at the hospital, the officer informed us that Nathan was in custody and was being charged with drug trafficking on national waterways and were going to try and get him to share both who was shipping the illegal drugs and who he was selling them to. I knew the investigation would take time, but for now, Ryder had accomplished his mission. He was a hero and I was never more proud to call him mine.

At the hospital, I sat in the waiting room as they rolled Ryder down to emergency surgery to expel the bullet. I called Kirsten and Ashley and in no time, they were sitting with me.

“Wow, I can’t believe that happened,” Kirsten sighed, as I finished sharing with her and Ashely what had happened.

“It’s like an action movie,” Ashley agreed.

“I know. It feels so surreal, but at the same time, it has given me so much clarity,” I say.

“What do you mean?” Kirsten asks.

“Well, I fought loving Ryder because I was afraid to love, but the thought of losing him tonight showed me that I need to take control of my life and love as much as I can,” I say.

Kirsten and Ashley smile at me, before enveloping me in a massive hug.

When we part, I glance at the clock on the wall and realize it is six in the morning.

“Oh no, I need to call Melanie,” I say, freaking out. “There is no way I can make it to work today.”

Both Kirsten and Ashely nod in agreement and listen as once again, I replay the events of tonight with Melanie. She had seen the explosion and fire on the morning news, and was grateful we were all ok. She told me to take off as much time as I needed. I told her I would only need a few days, but more importantly, I would finish my article and get it to her ASAP. She tried to argue with me, but I refused to listen.

After seeing how brave all of these men were tonight, I needed to write that article. The world needed to know more about the first responders and the men and women who selflessly fight for all of us.

As Kirsten and Ashley head to the hospital cafeteria to get us some coffee, I take out my phone and pull up my Google Documents. I begin writing the rest of the article and include the events of tonight as well. I paint a horrific picture for readers as everything is still fresh in my mind. I don’t mean to be morbid, but the dangers pretended by our heroes need to be known. I don’t leave out any of the gritty details.

Kirsten and Ashely return and as I sip my coffee and type, they watch me with curious eyes. When I am finished, I allow them both to read it.

Before I can ask them what they think of the article, a nurse comes out to the waiting room.

“Miss, are you Meghan?” the plump lady asks.

“Yes,” I say, jumping up out of my seat.

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