Page 39 of Love Fire

I slam a new clip in my gun and charge towards a rock I saw someone diver behind. I run around it and point my gun in his face. I see nothing but fear looking back at me. I pull the trigger but only hear a click. His fear turns to a grin as he raises his own gun.

“Fuck.” That was a bad idea. I hurdle over the rock and sprint back towards the house. Bullets once again whizz past me. I dive for cover behind a brick half wall that encircles the garden. The wall quickly begins to crumble as it is riddled with bullets.

As the wall falls around me, I check my gun. Jammed. Fuck, what a rookie mistake. I quickly unjam it and get ready to run. I point my gun over the wall and fire blindly, giving myself cover fire. I use the cover to run back behind the pillar.

The gunmen start taunting me. “Not such an enforcer, are you?”

“I bet he’d like a hit, boys!”

“Your friends we killed last week would be embarrassed by you!”

“I bet junkies won’t even get high off your weak ass!”

I’m going to kill each and every one of them. I reload my gun again, this time making sure it didn’t jam. I get ready to return fire when the worst occurs.

“Stop!” Erin runs out of the front door right into open fire. She starts flinging her dark magic at the gunmen. “You all need to leave here, immediately!”

The gunmen simply change their aim to point at Erin and fire. I leap into action. I fire blindingly at the attackers as I sprint towards Erin. I let go of my gun and dive at her. I tackle her to the ground but feel a sharp pain in my chest. Then it all goes black.

34

ERIN

My hands shake uncontrollably. This can’t be happening. None of this is real. I’m just having a terrible nightmare, I’m still in bed next to Brent.

“BRENT!” I call out to him.

I’m kneeling next to him, head above his. Despite my screaming, he doesn’t respond at all. His eyes keep closing. My screams turn into sobbing.

I get a hold of my trembling hands, then press against the wound. In my heart, I still want to believe it’s all a dream. Then I look at Brent’s blood seeping through my fingers. The crimson stains on my light complexion make it very clear.

My eyes widen, taking in the image of Brent slowly dying. He coughs up blood. His teeth turn red. The blood trickles down on both sides of his jaw.

I whip my head around to look at Hank. The one responsible for this mess. It’s the first time I had the courage to look at him with such hatred. For him, though, it’s all too funny.

He holds his hand out. “Hold fire. We got him,” he orders.

Then, he smirks at me. “You are so stupid. I know you’re playing both sides. Soon, your father will too.”

Hank looks down at Brent. I cover him with my body, even though I feel so small right now. I’ll lay on top of him if I have to.

Hank rolls his eyes at my pathetic attempt to protect Brent. He clicks his teeth like a disappointed parent would. My eyes twitch.

He sighs. “You should have honored our deal, and this wouldn’t have happened.”

My glare falls, knowing he’s completely right. If I made the right decision, Brent would be safe. I’d rather have him hate me. At least he’d be alive and safe.

The queasy feeling in my stomach returns. My heartbeat goes out of rhythm. It doesn’t correlate with my heavy breathing. I want to vomit, cry and shout all at the same time.

I want to kill Hank and his men. But I’m afraid Brent will bleed out if I let go. I’m powerless once again. As I’ve always been and will be.

Hank twirls his gun in his hand and shrugs tauntingly. “Should have listened Erin!”

He and his men hop in the car. He gets in the passenger’s seat and rolls up the window. Before completely shutting it, he winks at me.

“We’ll be back for you once he’s gone,” he says while motioning to Brent.

My breath hitches. I stare off watching the black Escalades speed off into the distance. I swallow and have a burst of energy to scream.

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