It’s the best kind of love because it’s unbreakable.
“You gonna do this? Over here,” Hand barks.
Although my knees are weak, I comply, stepping around the chair but before I get far, he says, “Nope. You look that fucker in the eyes.”
Swallowing, I nod and step back until I’m in front of the man who gave me life. He also slowly tried to form me in his grotesque image. So, there’s that.
Hand steps up and I stiffen when his arms wrap around me from behind. He grabs my hand and forces it around the gun before closing his meaty paw over mine.
I suppose it would be too good to be true for him to just give me the gun. Instead, I ignore his sweaty skin as I suck in a breath.
“Look up, you cowardly piece of shit,” Hand barks.
Daddy shakes his head before leaning back. When his eyes meet mine, I try to decipher the emotion shining back at me. But with him I only recognize rage and disdain, whatever this is, it’s not that.
Hand presses the gun against his temple, with my palm still clutching the grip.
Tears well in my eyes and I flinch as he pulls the trigger, but nothing happens. Dizziness assails me as Daddy’s eyes roll in his head.
Hand chuckles and pushes me away. I’m too shaky to maintain my balance and fall to my knees.
“Too bad,” Miriam says behind me, and I whip around as the room echoes with sound.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Clutching his chest, Hand staggers back before dropping to his knees as blood spreads beneath his fingers. He works his mouth, but nothing comes out as he collapses face forward with a thud.
My ears ring as I back away on my hands and knees, unable to tear my gaze from the pool of red surrounding his body.
Miriam exhales and staggers to the chair beside me. She collapses into it, leaning over her belly, her face pale.
“Mir?” I whisper and she winces.
“I think I’m in labor,” she groans.
Shoot.
I glance around wildly, meeting Daddy’s wide eyes. His gaze flickers to Miriam before returning to me.
Ignoring the silent message, I stand and say, “Take Mercy. Go to the hospital.”
“What about this?” she says.
“I’ll figure something out. Go,” I say, grabbing her hand and pulling her gently to her feet.
She wobbles before straightening and I rush to the closet. Mercy looks up when I open the door and I say, “You’re leaving. Close your eyes and do not open them until I say so.”
“What happened?” she whispers.
“Not now. You have to go. Miriam’s in labor. Mercy,” I say, grabbing her cheeks.
She clutches my arm as I say, “If anyone asks, you weren’t here. You don’t know anything. Understand?”
She nods, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Where was I?”