Page 150 of Unravelling The Beast

My nostrils are filled with the strong odor of gasoline, and I can feel blood oozing from a wound on my head, dripping onto the roof beneath me.

I turn my head warily to look at Arlo beside me, terrified of what I'm about to see. I scream at the top of my lungs as I see he's covered in blood and is either still knocked out or dead beside me, his arms swinging down ever so slightly.

My body trembles with dread and fear, and my damp eyes dart about quickly, trying to figure out what to do next.

My attention returns to Arlo, and I reach out with my quivering, bloodied hand, doing my utmost to reach out to him, even if it's only a short distance away. I groan as a sharp pain appears in my shoulder, and I cry out as I continue to stretch it out.

When I finally have a firm grip on his arm, I start shaking him frantically.

“Arlo! Arlo!”

When he doesn't respond at all, I go insane, tugging on his arm as hard as I can.

"Please wake up! Please wake up!Don't you dare leave me now!"

Suddenly, I hear male voices coming from somewhere near us, and my entire body stiffens. As they draw closer, I look around again, seeking anything I can use to defend myself and Arlo.

When I spot Arlo's silver and gold gun at a distance, I look at it for a split second through watery lenses before deciding to try my hardest to reach for it.

I reach my arm out as far as I can until my fingers graze it. When I gain it, I grasp it with my trembling hands and rest my finger on the trigger, pointing at the shattered window beside me.

As a pair of black, stylish shoes come into my view, I strive to keep my aim steady while my breathing becomes extremely shallow.

A pair of hands emerge on the concrete, as if someone is about to bend down, and when the stranger's face appears, I take a deep breath and fire the trigger without thinking clearly.

I watch as the bullet enters his face and explodes in front of my eyes. When his blood splatters up my skin and his features are now recognisable while he falls to the floor with a thump, I let out a bloodcurdling scream.

"Fuck sake, Wren!"

Cash's voice from behind startles me, and I swiftly spin around to face him, only to see him holding a gun to Arlo's head.

I switch up and aim the gun at him while speaking through gritted teeth.

"Don't you fucking dare, or you'll be next!"

Before he responds, he has a wicked smirk on his lips.

"Oh, Wren, baby, you'll shoot him first; there's no way that bullet will get past him. Is that really what you want?"

I just stare at him with tears in my eyes and my hands shake violently.

"Be a good girl, drop the gun, and I won't blow his brains out right in front of you."

I hear the body being taken away behind me, and the sudden noise makes me jump, but I keep my eyes locked on Cash.

His face becomes more serious, as if he is bored of my bullshit, and he speaks firmly.

"I'll give you a count-down to three."

"One..."

Panic swells within me like never before, and I have no idea what to do.

"Two..."

He cocks his gun and returns it to Arlo's face.

I drop the gun unexpectedly as his mouth opens to say three, since I can't allow him to be the one who kills Arlo unless he's already dead. If he's still alive, I'm certain he'll go to extreme lengths to bring me back beside him. He's already told me multiple times that he would.

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