Page 155 of For I Have Sinned

“But you got out.” I close my eyes, inhaling a deep breath, and when I open them again, she is still standing there. “How did you get here?”

“Once I got out of that room, I found another exit at the back of the church. My adrenaline was wearing off as I kept losing blood, and by the time I made it to the parking lot, I heard sirens in the distance, and I ended up falling to the pavement. Everything went dark.”

My eyes search her face and land on a couple of markings on her temple and cheek, most likely from collapsing in the parking lot.

Her hands find mine, and she gives them a light squeeze.

“I was so worried that you didn’t make it out. When I regained consciousness in the hospital, I was frantic and kept trying to tell them to help you guys. A nurse finally calmed me down and told me someone had already called for help. And once I was finally calm and relaxed in the hospital bed, I turned on the TV and saw on the news that they were talking about everything that happened and how Father Keaton was shot. I knew you were the only person strong enough to do that. To put an end to his madness. That’s how I knew you were okay, and I’m so proud of you.”

Her eyes begin to water, and I look at her in amazement as the shock begins to wear off. She is real and alive. Standing in front of me, being so strong after going through all the shit she went through. My breath shudders as I accept the fact that my friend is not dead, and I grab her good arm and yank her into me, finally giving her the hug I should have when I first saw her.

Esther must feel me flinch because she says, “I’m sorry! I forgot that man kicked you right in the ribs.”

I pull away, my brows dipping. “How did you know that?”

“I may have been fighting for my life to get out of that man’s grasp, but I was watching you the entire time. I wanted to make sure nothing happened to you. Then I saw that sad excuse for a man kicking the shit out of you. I wanted to tear his leg from his body after seeing that, but I was a little preoccupied with being dragged to my death, or else I would have come and rescued you.” Her eyes look down at my cast. “What happened there?”

“Father Keaton,” I lift my arm. “Snapped my wrist like it was a fucking Kit-Kat.”

A smile slowly forms on her face, and she starts giggling. I can’t help but join because after what we’ve been through, we need a good laugh. And for a brief moment, it feels like old times. Like her and I are just hanging out, talking like we used to, until I hear footsteps behind me.

I turn, finding Nurse Sophie approaching us. “Alex is all settled in his recovery room. You can follow me, and I’ll take you to see him.”

“What happened to Alex?” Esther questions, fear laced in her tone.

I look back at her as sadness fills my chest. “Father Keaton shot him.”

She gasps, and her eyes widen in surprise.

“Go see him. I’ll find you later.” I nod and start to follow the nurse, but Esther grabs my arm. “I’m sorry… for not being able to tell you what I had planned. But I’m glad I didn’t because he had to believe I died if there was any chance of me surviving.”

“I forgive you, Esther.” I hug her one more time. “Just don’t do something like that again. I can’t lose you.”

“I won’t,” she reassures me.

I let go of her and turn around to follow the nurse, my heart beating faster with every step I take that leads me to Alex.

Chapter 49

Father Alexander

A muffled beeping sound slowly drags me out of whatever darkness I’ve been in. They are heavy, but my eyes begin to open, letting a bright light seep in. I can feel my face scrunch up because of the brightness, and when my eyes open a bit more, the room is blurry. I attempt to sit up, feeling a slight twinge in my chest. For a moment, I try to figure out why I’m in hurting, but then the memories resurface.

I was shot.

I feel a warmth wrapped around my palm. It’s comforting. Familiar. When I tilt my head slightly to look, I see a blurry figure sitting beside my bed. I blink a few more times, and when my vision becomes clearer, my voice cracks.

“Mom?”

“Oh.” Her breath hitches as she tries to inhale a deep breath of relief. “My sweet Alex,” she cries as she stands and kisses my forehead.

When she sits back in the chair next to my bedside, she scoots closer and tightens her grip around my hand.

“How are you feeling?” She wipes a tear away and sniffles as she tries to pull herself together.

I take a moment to look at her face. Her eyes are swollen and bright red. She must have been crying for so long. She must have been so scared she was going to lose me, too.

Seeing her like this makes my stomach feel uneasy. After everything that happened with Dad, and now seeing me like this… I remember that heartache. It’s a feeling I’d never wanted her to have to feel again.