Page 33 of Gideon

When I came back around, Pete was still working on me.

“Hey,” I croaked.

“How many times were you hit?” he asked, his tone sharp but steady.

“I’m not sure,” I murmured. “Three, I think.”

“I’ve already found four bullets,” Pete said. “We’re almost at the plane, so hang in there.”

“I hear another motor,” I muttered, trying to turn my head.

“Raven, step on it!” Pete shouted.

“Stay with me, Gideon. Think of someone you can’t leave. Do you have a special lady?” Pete asked, his voice firm but encouraging.

“Ask him about Laney,” Raven suggested.

Pete leaned closer. “Gideon, do you want to tell me about Laney? Is she someone special in your life? Come on, stay with me. Laney needs you. Open your eyes and talk to me.”

“Laney…” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. “She’s funny… beautiful… and Raven’s sister.”

“What? Is this another new sister?” Pete asked, surprised.

I chuckled weakly. “Yeah,” I murmured before everything went black, and I joined the stars.

It was incredible—something I can’t fully explain. I looked around and saw everyone I’d ever known who had died. They were all there, glowing like stars.

“Gideon, what are you doing here?”

I turned to see Zack, his light brighter than anything I’d ever seen. “Zack, it’s so good to see you. I can’t believe all of you are here.”

Zack smiled warmly. “Gideon, you can visit for a short time, but you have to go back. It’s not your time yet.”

“If it’s not my time, then why am I here?” I asked, confused.

“You’re here because Pete is working on your body. You have to fight to stay alive,” my friend Zack explained.

I looked around, taking in the faces of my Grandpa and all my buddies who had passed. They surrounded me; they were light, warm, and comforting. But I could feel the pull—it was my body calling me back.

“Wait,” I said, turning to my Grandpa. “Is my mother here? That’s when I saw the beautiful young lady standing beside Grandpa.

“Gideon, I never meant to leave you. I was in an accident, but I always loved you. You are my baby, and I will always love you.”

I wanted to ask her so much more, but everything about this place was strange. We weren’t bodies; we were stars, glowing and talking in ways that didn’t feel like words. Suddenly, I felt myself dimming, the pull back to my body growing stronger.

And just like that, I was back.

I opened my eyes, blinking against the harsh light. Pete’s face hovered above me. “Thank God you’re awake. How do you feel?” he asked, his relief obvious.

I realized we were on the plane, but all I wanted was to go back and ask my Grandpa about my mom. Then I remembered her talking to me. She never meant to leave me. She said she wasin an accident. I closed my eyes, trying to return to that place, but nothing happened. I knew it was over—I was here to stay.

“I feel pain,” I croaked. “How many bullets hit me?”

“Five,” Pete said. “You’re lucky none of them hit anything vital. But…” He grinned. “You might be laid up from having sex for the next ten years.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I grumbled, regretting the movement.

“I’m teasing you,” Pete said with a chuckle. “You’ll be as good as new in a few weeks. But we’ll need to stop in Germany to get one of the bullets out. You might have to stay a couple of nights there. I appreciate you and Raven coming to rescue me. We barely made it out alive.”

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