The Fabric of our Souls

She ran off without telling me. Of course she did.

My chest heaves as I reach the top of the lookout. Those steps are way too steep for anyone’s good. Well, there’s my Mercedes…

Pop.

My head jerks toward the hill. A gunshot?!

I sprint up the hill and see three bodies lying in the golden field.

Oh God. No.

I reach them in a matter of seconds. A gun and a bloody rock are on the ground. Crosby looks either dead or knocked out cold. His head is bashed in, covered in blood.

That’s when I see them.

They lie still, holding each other like only death could possibly tear them apart. Their eyes are closed and tears and blood mix on their faces.

There’s a bullet hole in Wynn’s chest. Two in Liam’s.

Panic surges through me but I have to keep my head. Everything I do right now matters. Every second counts.

I pull out my phone and call the police, telling them where we are and who the culprit is, all on speaker as I go into survival mode. I tear Liam’s shirt open and examine where the bullets are. They’ve missed his heart and aorta. Relief floods me as I dip down and hear his breaths.

I move to Wynn.

My heart shatters as I stare down at her. Her pale-pink hair is covered in blood and mud, her face is scratched and dusted with dirt and red. A dry trail of tears runs over her nose and down her cheek.

Why didn’t I go with her? Why didn’t I? I drill myself. Her shirt tears easily and all the pain in the world couldn’t describe the mind-numbing agony that rips through me as I look down at her chest.

The bullet found her heart.

I hold my breath as press my index and middle finger to her carotid artery. There’s a faint pulse but it’s fading fast.

I take my sweater off and press the fabric onto her chest, praying to a God I don’t believe in and crying as I stare, unblinking, at her.

“Please don’t go, Wynn. You hear that? The sirens are getting close. We’re going to be okay now. We’re going to—”

Pain pierces my back. My legs instantly lose all feeling. I glance up with clouded vision and see Crosby staring at me, blood running down his face and the gun in his hand.

He shot me. I don’t feel anything… but I know he shot me.

The sirens get closer and despite my own wound and shaking body, I keep the fabric pressed down on Wynn’s chest. It’s okay. We’re safe. We’re going to be fine. Sweat covers my entire body as I watch a police officer rise above the hill and shoot at Crosby.

He tries to stagger away but his head injury slows him down. He falls close to Liam and I watch as the evil light in Crosby’s eyes shifts into that of a softer soul.

His eyes round as he stares at Liam’s face. He looks so innocent and scared it almost breaks my heart. Then he starts crying. “Liam? Oh my God, what happened? Liam? Neil, help us! Help us, please!” he shrieks. The sound makes me sick to my stomach.

This is all so fucked up.

Police are yelling and running toward us. Crosby is screaming and crying like a child. The world is too loud right now. My insides are starting to burn.

Keep the pressure on her. Just focus on the pressure.

Liam’s eyes crack open—he heard his brother’s plea. Crosby quiets down, tears still running down his face. He looks at his big brother with large, pleading eyes.

Liam smiles faintly, reassuring him, as he chokes out, “I’ll always love you, Perry.”

Pop. Pop. Pop.

Crosby’s eyes widen only for a moment before they go dull and distant. Liam sets the gun behind himself and then tries to pull his brother in close for a hug, but he’s too weak, lost too much blood. He keeps his bandaged hand atop Crosby’s shoulder.

“Liam,” I cry. My insides hurts so bad. My back and legs have lost all feeling. “Liam, I’m here.”

“Lanston,” he rasps, taking a wheezing breath. “T-take care of her.”

The officers reach us and hurry to move Liam.

I shake my head and tremble, trying to force my body to keep the weight on her chest until they reach us.

I stare down at Wynn, brushing her hair from her forehead and pressing a kiss to her lips.

“You have to pull through, Wynn. You will always have my heart. Always”