I turn, tossing half of the clips toward Benny before trying to reload my own gun. I’ve just managed the task when the breath is knocked from my body. I collapse to my knees, air refusing to enter my lungs.
It feels like taking a sledgehammer to the ribs, and I groan in pain. I touch the affliction, inspecting the source of the pain. I’m not remotely surprised when it comes away bloody.
“Tristan!” I hear Benny shout, sounding from underwater.
Night creeps into my vision, darkening around the edges before beginning to consume my sight entirely. I don’t feel myself fall over. I only feel the rough bite of the gravel as the ground meets me.
I don’t dwell on the fact that I’ve been shot. I don’t even think of the pain burning through me. As my consciousness fades, I see only blonde hair, I feel only her lips pressing to mine.
Isobel.
Then, everything goes dark.