Page 119 of Irreversible

I lean into the dark pit in my soul, letting it swallow me whole. Leaving my humanity behind, I?—

A force like a freight train slams into my side, taking me to the ground mid-stride. Rolling several times, I’m smashed flat to the dry grass, staring up at Dolph’s twisted expression.

“You’reminenow.” With his forearm pinning my neck to the point where I can’t breathe, he pulls a gun from his back pocket.

One on one, I should be able to take him, but I’m too weak. Too…

Fuck.

I didnotsurvive this long to go out at the hands of this asshole. There are more important things that still need to be taken care of, and I’m not leaving this world until the man currently escaping across the field is out of it.

Someone from SWAT needs to come out here. I need backup.

Tanner.

The metal barrel digs into my forehead. His arm presses down on my throat. Quickly, I assess the least dangerous method of dislodging that gun before it goes off or I run out of air. Both will kill me, but one is faster. Messier.

“Did you think, Mr. Porter, that I don’t already have a contingency plan?” A fancy shoe covers my fingers. Steps down.

I grind my teeth as something crunches.

The Viking pinning me doesn’t move, but the pressure on my throat eases a touch. My attention shifts from Dolph to the smug bastard standing over us.

He grins, unflustered, not a hair out of place. “I suppose you can have him now, Rudolph. I’m done here.”

“Contingency…plan?” I push the words through my constricted throat.

“Police interference was only a matter of time, really.” The Timekeeper practically leers in triumph. “I’m a genius, Isaac. Of course, I have emergency exits and certain precautions in place in case such a thing should happen. We should be seeing the first round of them any second now.” His gaze lifts.

“You—”

“Wait for it.” He holds a finger in the air. “Aaaand…” His hands flare outward in a dramatic, explosive gesture that he mirrors with a sound effect, just as?—

BOOM.

Explosions burst through the windows of at least four rooms on this side of the building. They’re echoed by others I can hear, but not see.

Glass rains down. I turn my head, oddly grateful Dolph is on top of me. He grunts as he takes the brunt of it.

I have only one thought:

Everly is in there.

No.

My heart rate kicks up so fast, it nearly vibrates my chest. Because no matter how betrayed I may feel, or how pissed off I am, Icannotlet her die like this.

I won’t lose another person again. Not to him.

Flames shoot from the empty windows, giving the ground an orange cast. Dolph’s grip falters, just for a second. Just long enough.

When I ram my knee upward, he isn’t ready.

He isn’t ready when I take that moment to yank his gun-wielding arm straight up and twist as I roll, switching our positions. He isn’t ready when the gun slips from his grip and transfers to mine.

And he really isn’t ready when I blow his goddamned head to pieces.

For a split second, my hearing goes out. I blink, dazed. Staring at what’s left of Dolph.

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