And even if I tried, Jell-O legs weren’t going to get me far.
My heart was pounding so hard and fast that it was making me nauseous.
Brigg motioned with her gun to walk toward the railing that overlooked the water. “I’m glad we had this time together.”
I glanced over my shoulder. “What have I done to deserve being shot?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why kill me? You had it planned, right?”
“Oh yes.”
“But…why?” I sounded desperate.
Brigg didn’t speak until we reached the railing. I turned to stare at her, the wind tearing through my jacket and making me feel as if I were naked. The rain pelted my glasses and face.
She raised her pistol, pointing it at me. “I can’t keep defending justice by myself. It’s too much for one person. But I can’t stop. I just…can’t… not when there’s so much wrong in this world.” Brigg took a firing stance. “At least you helped me for a time.”
“I definitely didn’t help you,” I said, nearly laughing because at this point, I was hysterical.
“You did, though. Others saw the victims for the filth they were.” She shook her head. “But it’s just too much for one person.”
“You can’t live with the guilt of killing, but you can’t stop either? So you’re shooting me to get caught. Is that right?”
“About so, yes.”
Tears were welling up in my eyes. My chin quivered. “I don’t want to die,” I said simply. “I have a family. I can’t—” The words failed to escape me.
“I’m sorry,” Brigg said with a somber tone. “There’s no other way. It has to be you.”
A sob tore out of me. I couldn’t—I couldn’t leave my dad behind. I’m supposed to bury him, not the other way around.
And Calvin.
There were countless more sunrises to wake up to with him at my side. An impossible number of smiles and laughs to share.
I owed him a million and one moreI love yous.
And so far my count was three.
“Hands on your head,” Brigg said calmly.
“Please don’t,” I tried.
“Now.”
Tears rolled down my face as I slowly put my hands on the back of my head.
“Turn around. Don’t worry—it’ll be quick.”
I took a shaky breath and slowly turned my back to her. I looked out over the choppy, gray waters of the East River. “I love you,” I whispered, hoping somehow Calvin heard me.
“Sebastian!”
I turned toward the left in shock. It was hard to make out the person, but I knew the voice. Neil was running from his parked car, gun in hand, and he took aim at Brigg and shot. I covered my head and crouched instinctively, looking back as she stumbled hard into a bench.
No blood, though.
