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Liam.
Lanston speaks up from behind me when I don’t say anything. “No, we haven’t. But we’ll keep an eye out.” The officer nods and returns to the lower step, where the blood is.
I turn in my seat. “Lanston, I think Liam was here.”
He keeps his eyes forward as he parks and unbuckles his seatbelt. The circles under his eyes make my heart ache.
“I know you want to believe that, Wynn. But I don’t think so. He’s… dead.”
Tears spring to my eyes. Lanston frowns like he’s sorry to say such a cruel thing, but I know he’s weary. Tired of having a thing as silly as hope.
He gets out of the car and heads inside. I remain sitting for several minutes before deciding to pursue the inkling I have pulling in the back of my mind.
“Sorry, Lanston,” I mutter to myself as I navigate over the center console and into the driver's seat. I start the engine and take off down the road to the lookout. He really needs to stop leaving his keys in the car; we’re not in Harlow anymore.
The parking lot is empty.
I park the car and get out, listening, but it’s silent. The only sounds are those of the wind and crisp leaves blowing around on the ground.
I knew it was stupid to look into this. Lanston knew it too. But I can’t give up… not until I’m sure he’s really gone. I won’t give up.
Deep breaths.I inhale and exhale slowly.
A flash of color catches my attention.
I look at the ground closer and see a drop of blood, still wet and glistening in the cold air, not yet frozen.
My surprised breath curls in the air and hope pulses through me. I’m hesitant to call out Liam’s name. If it is him, he’s bleeding and running from something.
From someone.
A gunshot pops off and I don’t think. I thoughtlessly run toward the sound.
It was muffled with distance, so I know he’s close enough but I can’t decipher where.
Another shot goes off, closer. I run straight into the forest beyond the parking lot. It’s inclined, and after about twenty paces up, an expansive golden field stretches out as far as I can see.
Two bloodied people are struggling over a gun.
“Liam!” I scream and run toward the two men.
I know it’s irrational. I know I should call for help. If I were in a rational state of mind, maybe I would do that and risk Liam dying.
But I’m not rational right now.
I’m blindly in love, and each second I waste means his life on the line.
Both men snap their heads toward me and Liam’s beautiful face comes into view. His eyes are fearful and he’s bleeding. He’s yelling at me to turn around and run.
But he’s alive.
He’s not covered in those indescribable burns or in the morgue with a tag around his big toe. He’s breathing and screaming and looking at me.
He’s here. And so is Crosby.
I don’t hear anything except the pounding of my heart as I tackle Crosby to the ground. He’s as tall as Liam and I register it quickly as he throws me off of him easily and pins me to the ground.
His eyes are ruthless and filled with malice. He pulls his gun and aims it at me.
