The bullet shouldn’t have, but it takes me by surprise. Another gunshot wound to the gut, and another to my hip.
I fall to the floor and begin to bleed out.
Behind us, Lila screams, sobbing for him to stop.
My grin stays somewhat in place because even though I’m dying, the keys are clutched inside my hand.
I close my eyes and let him believe he’s seen the last of me and my smile.
When I wake, it's to a disgusting grunt and more feminine cries. I peel my eyes open slowly and take in my surroundings. Riker is giving CPR to his buddy, focused entirely on him and not looking my way.
“Come on, Dale. Pull through, man.”
I move carefully. I feel eyes on me—Lila’s, I assume—as I stretch my fingers out to my side, searching for one of my weapons. After a few seconds of searching, my hand locates cold metal.
I shift just enough to draw it closer, wrap my fingers around the grip, and bring it up in one smooth motion. The bullet I send into Riker’s back is utterly satisfying.
His body jolts with the impact, and he falls forward with a grunt and groan. Turning, he shouts, “What the actual fuck!”
I rise to my feet and lift my shirt, showing him my unblemished skin.
His eyes bulge.
I shoot him twice more in the chest. You know. So we’re even.
He clutches his hand over the wounds and begins to spit up blood as he coughs.
“Funny thing,” I say, crouching in front of him. “You can’t actually kill someone who can’t be killed.”
I hold up my hand and dangle the keys in front of his face. “Thanks for these. Super helpful.”
He lifts an arm, attempting to grab them from me, but he doesn’t have the strength. His eyes blink repeatedly as if he’s fighting to stay conscious.
“You know, I truly believe there’s a special place in Hell for men like you. So enjoy these last few moments.” I slap the side of his face, then stand and turn toward the cells. I don’t watch him take his last breaths. He’s no longer my concern.
Lila’s eyes are too big for her dainty face. “He shot you,” she whispers harshly. “Killed you. I saw it.”
“Yes, but there’s something you should probably know about me.” I shrug. “I can’t die. Or at least nothing anyone has tried has worked so far.”
“That’s something you should’ve definitely told me before,” she snaps weakly. “I’ve been losing my mind.”
I grimace. “Yeah. Sorry. When I said play along, I guess that didn’t really explain why I wasn’t worried about what they’d do to me.”
I unlock her cell first. She launches herself into my arms. It catches me off guard, but I wrap my arms around her thin body and hold her close.
“Hey, hey. It’s okay. You’re safe.”
She nods, then breaks down completely, sobbing against my shoulder. I give her a moment—but I’m painfully aware of the other woman. I ease Lila back and nod toward the neighboring cell. Lila follows me into the other cell and goes to the girl's side.
Palming her face, she attempts to calm her down. “Shh. They’re dead. They can’t hurt us anymore.”
To me, she says, “Grab the other keys. They're probably in Riker's pocket.”
I do and hand them to her. Lila’s tear-filled eyes flick up to mine as she begins to unlock the cuffs. “Her name is Alissa.”
“Why is she like this?” I ask quietly.
“She tried to escape a few days ago.”
