Page 8 of Wanted

I did my best to focus on the commotion around me but the more Istayed alert, the more the pain overtook me.

If I close my eyes, thepain will stop.

Slowly drifting off into the darkness, my only thoughts were ofthe man who always tried to save me. I prayed I was able to save him in return.

~5~

Alek

It all happened so fast. First, Samuel blocked our route toescape, then he was spouting off crazy shit about him and Sara being happytogether and that it was all my fault. Like I’d gotten in the way.Well, you’re damn right I did. I put myselfbetween the woman I love and a crazy-ass psycho.

Everything after was a blur. For reasons unknown, Sara jumped infront of me to shield me from the bullet. I didn’t even know how she realized hewas going to fire it at me.

Didn’t she know I would die for her?

Give my life to protect her?

Once the gun fired, I lunged forward without thinking and knockedSamuel back against the wall. I heard Kael shouting to me, but I blocked himout. The only mission I was on was to steal the life from him. I should havebeen checking on Sara. I had no idea how she was, but I chose to stay in deniala little while longer. Plus, I knew my friend would tend to her while I setabout destroying Samuel.

Wrestling around on the ground proved to be more difficult forhim than it was for me. I had rage and fear on my side, which allowed me tobest him rather quickly. The first punch shattered his nose, the second knockedhim out cold.

As soon as I stood, I ran over to check on Sara. Kael waskneeling over her body, shaking his head profusely as he tried to find thewound. There was so much blood, it was hard to locate exactly where the bullethad hit her. I prayed right then and there, asking God to spare her life and nottake her from my world.

But my worst fears were coming true right in front of me.

Reaching down to check her over myself, my hands were immersed inher blood, the warm, sticky substance oozing from somewhere on or around herchest.

My fingers circled her wrist, trying my best to find a pulse.She had one, but it was weak.

“I’ve called 911, Alek. They’ll be here any minute.” The sirenswe’d heard before were closer, maybe two or three minutes away. As I preparedto cradle Sara’s head in my lap, I noticed movement in my peripheral vision. Iturned toward the distraction and saw Samuel starting to come back around.

Sara laid there dying yet he had the audacity to breathe life? Asif he was entitled to it?

I snapped.

Searching on the ground around me, I located his fallen gun,gripped it in my hand as if it was my best decision and moved toward the manwho would forever change not only my life but Sara’s, as well.

There was no way she was going to be the same after that night.He managed to rip away what little safety she’d felt after so many years livingin fear.

As for me, he was going to be the first and only person whoselife I would extinguish without a second thought.

I kicked his side when I finally stood next to him, the barrel ofthe gun pointed right between his eyes. Kael was still crouched next to Sara’sbody, holding her hand while he looked after me with concern.

“Alek, don’t do it. Let the cops sort him out.” I heard his words,but they meant nothing to me. They didn’t even permeate my brain.

Ignoring my good friend, Iplaced all my focus on the man at my feet. He glanced up, andthe look he gave me almost made me pity him. He was delusional and certifiable butin his head, he was normal.

“They’llsee I’m better one day. They’ll let me out, and I’ll come back for her.”

I never hesitated.

I pulled the trigger and watched the life drain from his eyes. Onlywhen I was sure he took his last breath did I release the gun from my hand. Itmade the loudest noise as it crashed to the floor.

~~~~

I was going to wear a hole in the carpet if I didn’t stop pacing,my impatience and nerves driving my legs to walk back and forth on their ownaccord.

I knew I was driving the hospital staff crazy with my incessantrants about wanting information on Sara. Every five minutes, I was demanding answersand each time, they told me I had to wait. Needing to hear something from thedoctor was slowly eating me up.

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