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“Get them all,” he said at one point, but I shook my head. It was fun to imagine them all, but I didn’t need this many clothes. I might be a fashionista, but I was also practical.
I ended up getting quite a few, and it made him happy to give them to me. In turn, it made me doubly happy.
Oh wow, I was beginning to sound like such a sap.
I convinced him to buy some clothes for himself, and we picked a few things for Cohen and Asa. They didn’t need too many things since most of our time was spent in loose-fitting athletic wear, but it never hurt to be prepared. Plus, I liked knowing that we had a choice. It didn't feel quite as prison-esque that way. For some reason, that was my unit of measure. Nobody could be fashionable in prison.
So, if we could wear different things, then it couldn't be all that bad. Loose association, but I never claimed to make sense.
“I’m starved. Want to grab something to eat?” I asked Milo, who was laden down with bags. He nodded his head in the affirmative, and I glanced over at the guard, who was also carrying bags. He shrugged. I guess I’d stolen their voices with all of my purchases.
“We still have a little bit of time left.” My stomach grumbled, and I realized how hungry I was, so we headed to the Food Court as a group. They let me go first and then took turns grabbing food, so someone was always at the table with all of our stuff. I realized I might’ve gone a little overboard when it was all stacked together.
When we all had our food, we dug in, the already limited conversation going away. Maybe that was why we didn't notice what was happening at first, too consumed by our food and hunger.
When the first scream sounded, I thought it was people excited. But as chairs and tables began to be pushed aside, falling to the ground, I realized something more sinister was at play. The screams grew louder, and I could hear the fear as people ran in every direction. Leo jumped into action, turning and looking for the cause. I had a feeling he wouldn't find a person.
If this was MKG and Dex, then they would be smarter than being out in the open.
Just as I thought that a bullet whizzed past our table, hitting one of the bags. Shrieking, I dove for the floor, pulling Milo with me. My body trembled as I searched for my phone, wanting to call somebody. I hit the first name that I saw, praying the phone would ring. As it became quieter around me, I grew even more scared of what that meant. When the call dropped a moment later, I knew his next round of attack had been implemented.
He was taking out the cell phones, so no one could call for help, making us stuck.
I turned to Milo, my eyes wide with fear. He looked as lost and scared as me, as we gripped one another.
“What do we do now?” I asked just as a loud bang erupted close by. Milo froze as well, his answer dying on his lips.
Everything in our training fled me, and I squeezed my eyes shut as my heart began to race, my breathing becoming shallow. I didn’t want to pass out, but my brain was overloaded, and I couldn’t think. I didn’t want to die. I was stupid to bring the guys into this. I should’ve just left it alone and lived out my life. I could’ve kept pretending.
But as my panic swirled, I knew that wasn’t fair. This could’ve happened regardless, and I wouldn’t want to give up the time I had with these guys for a chance I might avoid this. No. I needed to calm down and focus.
I’d been trained, so I just needed to use it.
Milo squeezed my fingers, reassuring me, and I looked up, nodding that we’d get through this together. I wasn’t alone, and Milo was great at rescuing me. So, maybe it was time we helped these innocent people.
I took a deep breath when he placed a gun in my hand. Holding his eyes, so many emotions passed through them, and I shook my head, not wanting a goodbye.
I kissed him, not letting him say anything, just as a voice came out over the speaker system.
“Come out, come out, Oblivion. No one else has to get hurt.”
Twelve
MILO
A shrill ringing soundedin my ears, and I blinked, trying to understand what was happening. Fin trembled next to me, the gun shaking in her hand. I needed to focus. The guys had trusted me to keep her safe, and I’d do that at whatever cost.
The PA system came on again, sending a shiver down my spine. “Now, now, Oblivion. It doesn’t have to be this difficult. Maybe I should up the stakes?”
A gunshot sounded out, followed by a scream. I tensed, expecting it to hit us next. Sobbing was the only sound I could hear; everything else in the once loud mall was quiet. Too quiet.
I looked around for Leo, spotting his leg a few tables over. Things we’d purchased were scattered around the floor between us.
“Leo?” I whispered.
When he didn’t move, I feared the worst. Swallowing, I nodded to Fin that I would check him out. I peered over the table, not seeing anyone standing. Staying crouched, I moved over to him, slumping down behind the table. I could see Finley from the angle as she bit her lip, watching me.
Taking a breath, I prepared myself to look at Leo. He was sprawled out, blood seeping from a wound on his shoulder. My medical instincts kicked in, and I placed the gun down as I immediately began to address his injury. I found an exit wound, making it easier to manage. Ripping off part of his shirt, I applied pressure as I searched for something to use.
