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My heart thuds under my rib cage as I think about the consequences if I am wrong. I took a deep breath and decided to trust my instincts. If this didn't work, we were both dead anyway. My skin was pale, and my veins were prominent as I gripped the knife tightly with a determined purpose. With quiet resolve, I slid the knife into the flesh of my other wrist and watched the blade open my skin. I gritted my teeth against the pain and watched my blood drip from the blade.
My blood spilled onto the grass, forming a dark pool around my feet. Staring at the flickering flame in the smooth liquid reflection, I fell deep into silence before the sounds around me flooded back in.
The killer howled, his eyes wide with shock. He immediately forgot about James, and I now had his full attention.
Thank God.
He shoved James to the ground and ran towards me. I closed my eyes and braced for the impact. I could feel my warm blood dripping down my cold fingers. My fingers felt numb and cold to the touch as blood slowly dripped down them. The killer reached me and looked at my wrists like he was trying to decide what to do. He wrapped his hands around one of my wrists to slow the bleeding. I didn't hesitate and stabbed the knife into his neck with all my strength. He looked at me confused and gripped the sheath. There was sadness in his eyes, or maybe I imagined it. He pulled the knife out, which produced a loud squelch, removing the plug from the wound I had caused. His blood poured out, staining his white shirt. He held the knife over his head, and I was prepared to let it pierce my flesh.
I closed my eyes andwaited.
Seven loud pops rang behind him, followed by three blood spots appearing on his chest, merging together into one large circle of deathly crimson. He looked at me in disbelief and dropped the knife. His body crumpled to the ground before me, and he frantically pressed his hands over his wounds in an attempt to stifle the blood gushing out.
A thick river of my own crimson blood ran down my arms, and the ground around us was flooded in a pool of deathly red. My fingers felt numb and cold, and my heart raced out of control as I fought for consciousness. My weakened legs gave out, and I stumbled back, trying desperately to stay on my feet. The dizziness threatened to blindside me--my vision blurring and swimming.
My body was overcome with heat and cold at once, my insides churning with an unexplainable sensation that felt like butterflies fluttering wildly around my stomach. Every single throb in my wrists was magnified by the mesmerizing streams of blood dripping down my hands until, finally, it all merged into one slow heartbeat, until, eventually, it stopped altogether. With each passing moment, life drained away from me as I struggled to keep my eyes open. I looked up at James as he holstered his weapon and rushed towards me. It took everything I had to stand, but it was time to rest. My legs buckled, and James caught me before I hit the ground. My eyes felt so heavy.
Maybe I should close them and rest for a minute.
THIRTY-SEVEN
JAMES
Rage consumed me as I emptied his clip into the killer’s back with ruthless accuracy.No hesitation.
When I saw Ava cut her wrists and the killer released me to get to her, I was determined to end his life.
She cut her wrists for me.
Sacrificed herself for me.
Saved me.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. I was the one that was supposed to save her.
The fucker fell to the ground and didn't move. But I wasn't focusing on him. Her legs wobbled, and she met my stare when she stumbled back and collapsed. I barely reached her before her tiny body hit the cold ground. I slid down to my knees and cradled her in my arms. Her flawless skin was pale and cold. Crimson blood streamed out of her wrists; the grass soaked in blood. She shivered as I held her close. I could feel her heartbeat pounding against my chest.
“Ava. Stay with me!” I pleaded desperately.
I held her tightly, trying to keep her warm. Tears filled my eyes as I begged her to keep her eyes open. I pulled my flannel shirt off, ripping the sleeves and tying them securely to her wrists to slow the bleeding.
Ava didn’t move.
Her arms fell limp on the ground. I reached into her pocket and found the keys we had given her to the hidden car.
"It's okay, baby. I will get you help. Everything will be fine. Keep your eyes open for me."
Her beautiful grey eyes stared up at me. She blinked a few times, but her stare was distant. Lifting her, I ran towards the car. “Stay with me, Ava. I know you're tired, but I need you. You don't get to leave me yet.”
Everett stumbled to me, a wound on his head dripping blood down his cheek. He held the radio in one hand while he clutched his side with the other.
“The ambulance is coming,” he croaked out.
I was relieved that he was not dead after the blast, but I couldn't think about anything but getting her to a hospital.
“She won’t make it.” I snapped, my voice hoarse with emotion. "Here, take the keys. You can run faster than me to the car."
Everett took off running, and within a minute, the bright headlights of the suburban blinded me. He ran around and opened the door for me, and I jumped into the passenger side.
