Page 247 of Fragments
I can’t even process what I’m seeing. I feel like I’m in a dream, or a nightmare, or some fucked up version of both.
This has gotta be a mirage…
There’s no way that really just happened…
In an instant, my gut lurches up into my throat.
Oh my God, Ren… Ren was in there.
He could be hurt.
No. No no no, I have to go find him.
Scrambling, attempting to stand, I don’t get far before tumbling back down onto my ass with a wet splat.
“Stay the fuck down!” the guard snaps at me, sniffling.
But there’s no way. Ican’tjust fucking sit here.
The love of my life was inside that building. I need to get to him. I need tohelphim.
My mind quickly rushes through anything and everything I could say or do to get this fucker to unlock my cuffs. Or, at the very least, turn his back long enough for me to make a break for it.
He has a gun, though… He could easily shoot me.
Think, Luthor. Think!
What would Ren do…?
“Hey…” I force my voice to remain even, calm and collected as I inch closer. “I was an EMT. I could help him…” The lie rolls effortlessly from my tongue, though inside I’m shivering.
The guard is solely focused on his friend, crying softly.
Slowly, I scoot closer. “Is he breathing? Let me check his pulse…”
“I said stay thefuck back!”
The guard whips in my direction, this time holding his pistol, aimed right at my face. Shaking almost violently, I stay frozen in place, gawking at him while rain sprays in my eyes.
“Okay, I’m sorry…” I whisper. “I’m not moving. I’m staying right here.”
He wipes his face quickly on his sleeve, gun still pointed at my head. “This is your fault…” My brows shoot up. “If we weren’t out here bringing you, he wouldn’t have gotten hurt…”
“Hey, that was an act ofGod,” I murmur.
“Well, here’s a blessing you don’t deserve.” His hands tremble visibly as he cocks the gun. “You’re going to die much quicker now.”
Closing my eyes tight, I take a deep breath.
This is it…
“Ren, I love you…” I whisper, lips quivering. “I’m sorry…”
A flash blinds me out of nowhere, and I topple onto the ground again, rolling to protect myself. The guard screams, piercing the air with a loud, aggrieved yelp.
Then I hear a thud.
“Am I dead…?” I whisper with my face in the dirt.
