-Home…
She whispered it again to herself.
-Home. I need to go home.
Her eyes drifted toward Jacob. He was lying motionless on the ground.
She didn't even remember how she made it to the door, only that she got inside.
She forgot to close it behind her.
-"Yeah… yeah, he doesn't know…"
-"He's unconscious… he can't...he's out…"
Dragging herself up the stairs was agonizing. Her moans echoed through the empty building
The units were vacant. No one came to help.
She cried out.
-"Mom!"
-"Help me! Daaad!!"
She was sobbing uncontrollably.
-"G-God…"
-"Help…"
She barely managed to crawl to the side of the couch and sat against it.
Her hand clawed at a thin blanket. she wrapped it tight around her stomach.
The bullet was still inside.
She couldn't press too hard on the wound.
Her body was shutting down. How had she even lasted this long?
How was she still alive?
She heard footsteps.
Turned her head toward the door.
The Devil.
Those eyes…
That smirk, disbelief etched into it.
+ "Stupid little girl…"
"What did you do to yourself?"
Matthew's gaze dropped to the floor.
The red droplets…
The blood-soaked cloth wrapped around her stomach…
It all clicked instantly.
He rushed to her side.
She hadn't fully passed out yet
Her eyes were barely open.
He placed a hand over his earpiece.
+ "Has the ambulance arrived yet?"
/"Yes, sir."
As soon as he heard that, he swept her into his arms and ran down the stairs.
Shouting:
+ "Over here! Now!"
They slid her into the ambulance, her body already cold to the touch.
He unzipped her sweatshirt and lifted her shirt.
/"She's been shot. Keep her awake if you can."/
The medics jumped into action.
Through the window, Matthew spotted Jacob.
The ambulance sped toward the hospital.
He dialed Richard's number.
+ "How's Jacob?"
/"He's alright, sir. Just a stun injury. One team's with you now, and another is accompanying him to the hospital."/
He ended the call.
Everything was a mess.
That foolish girl.
He hadn't thought…
Not for a second…
That she'd go this far.