Page 88 of Save Me

Slowly, I see the man is stomping on my gut, his face red and spit flying. “Till death,” stomp, “do us part,” stomp, “motherfucker!”

It dawns on me that this is Arthur. It also dawns on me that I’m now naked. I can’t breathe, but I still try to kick his feet out from under him. Princess is there, ripping into his ankle. I want to scream at Princess to run, but he just rips at his flesh.

There’s an explosion, and I crunch my body inwards. An explosion? What?

If there’s an explosion, I have to get Maddox to safety. Have to throw myself over him in case the walls start crumbling around us.

The stomping has stopped, although I can only take in tiny breaths, but I still scramble to my feet and scan for Maddox. Then I see him, standing behind me. He has my gun in his hand, outstretched and pointed at Arthur.

My gun.

In slow motion, I turn to Arthur, who’s standing there in shock, looking down at his chest. Both men are just standing there like they don’t know what’s happening. A tiny blossom of red grows on Arthur’s chest.

Holy freak. Maddox just shot Arthur.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

I just shot Arthur.

He staggers back a step.

I fucking shot him.

My mind is a slow-chugging machine. He was hurting Micah. He was hurting Princess. He was going to kill them.

I shot him.

It smells in here, like…like minerals and fire.

Micah. Is he okay? I bend down to check on him, and he looks at me with the same fear I always feel. Only I don’t feel it now. I feel some sort of odd…ringing. Why don’t I feel fear? I should definitely feel fear. Micah’s skin is all red.

”Mads? Are you okay?” Micah cups my face, searching my eyes. How did he get up?

There’s a wet cough, and we both glance at the source of the sound. Arthur has slumped against the doorway, a wide-eyed look in his eyes. It’s not a scared look or an angry look. It’s a blank look, and that makes my stomach flip. I feel like something just happened that I can’t reverse. Ever.

“Maddox? It’ll be okay.”

Wait. Where’s Princess? I scan the room, but don’t see him.

”Maddox? Look at me.”

Slowly, my gaze moves to Micah. He smiles like he’s approaching a wild animal. “Can I have the gun?”

Gun? I glance down, only now remembering it’s in my hand. I stare at it until Micah takes it. At least, he tries, but my hand won’t let go.

“It’s okay.” Gently, Micah pries my fingers off. Why won’t they let go?

Then I remember the threat and turn to Arthur, and we just stare.

What do we do? I blink. Oh my god, what do we do? I shot him?

The ringing is interrupted by a deep wave of something cold and dreadful in my gut. Oh my god, I shot someone. He’s going to die.

I need to call 911.

Like I’m running on autopilot, I pull my phone out of my pocket.

Micah’s voice sounds like it’s coming from another room. “Maddox!”