Page 121 of Manic

I catch glimpses of club members grabbing kids, shielding them with their bodies as they rush for cover.

But my focus narrows to Flora, to the blood seeping between my fingers as I press desperately against her wound.

"Florencia," she gasps, her eyes wild with fear. "Where is she?"

My heart clenches.

I can't tell her the truth—that I have no idea where her daughter is in this chaos.

"She's safe," I lie, forcing my voice to stay steady. "Worry about you right now."

God, there's so much blood.

My hands are slick with it, and I'm terrified.

This can't be happening.

Not here.

Not at Tindra’s birthday party.

Not to Flora and her unborn baby.

"Stay with me," I plead, even as her eyes start to flutter. "Help is coming. You're going to be okay. You have to be okay."

Gwen appears beside me, her face pale but determined. "Ambulance is on its way," she says, her phone still clutched in her hand. "ETA two minutes."

I nod, unable to speak.

My throat feels tight, choked with fear and adrenaline.

Flora's breathing is ragged, each inhale a struggle.

The sound of gunshots continue to echo in the background.

"Flora!" Rio's anguished cry cuts through the chaos as he rushes to us, dropping to his knees beside his girlfriend.

His eyes are wide with horror as he takes in the scene. "No, no, no," he mutters, reaching out to cradle Flora's face.

"Rio," Flora whispers, her voice barely audible. "It hurts."

"I know, baby, I know," he says, his voice cracking. "But you're gonna be okay. You hear me? You're gonna be fine."

I watch as Flora's eyes lock onto Rio's.

There's a clarity in her gaze that chills me to the bone. "If I don't make it," she says, each word a painful effort, "you save our little girl. You let me go."

Rio shakes his head violently, tears streaming down his face. "Don't talk like that. I won't have to make that choice. You're both gonna be fine."

But Flora persists, her grip on Rio's hand tightening. "Promise me," she insists. "Promise."

I can see the agony in Rio's eyes, the war between hope and despair.

Finally, he nods. "I promise," he chokes out. "But it won't come to that. You hear me, Flora? It won't."

As I watch this exchange, my own emotions threaten to overwhelm me.

This isn't fair.

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