Dirty Work

Chapter 5

The sound kept ringing through my ears. It was only one shot. Just one. But it kept echoing all around me. I couldn't tell if I was dreaming. This didn't feel like a dream. Everything was all too real.

Why did it have to be today?

I haven't moved since I heard the gunshot. I'm frozen like a statue. I'm afraid if I do move, they'll find me. Who ever "they" are.

I don't know what's happening downstairs. The shot was far away, but the adrenaline is making it sound like it was right outside the door.

I couldn't talk. My mouth was as dry as a bone. The words were stolen from me. I think if I do talk. They'll hear me.

This has to be fake. Some big prank. Who would be cruel enough to pull a prank like this?

"Alex did you hear me? Come on, you can't freeze up now. We have to get out of here," I hear a deep raspy voice say. They were just above a whisper. I guess they were trying to stay quite like me.

All the sudden I felt two large hands grab me by the shoulders and shake my body. "Alex please. We have to move," The same voice says, getting louder.

I was broken out of my trance by Zayn staring me in the eyes to see if I was responding. Out of nowhere another gunshot sounded across the whole club. It was followed my screams of fear, and that's where the terror begun.

The shots kept firing from there. There had to be more than one person because of all the shots ringing at once.

I look at Zayn. He had a sense of destress on his face but also a hint of normality. I mean, this is their job. To the guys, this probably isn't anything new.

I look around the room and see all the guys still in here. They are all checking their guns and whispering with each other.

I have no idea how we are going to get out of here, but I trust Zayn. He promised me that when I stay by his side, I will be safe. If he breaks that promise I'm going to kill him.

"Okay Alex, you need to listen to me. Everybody needs to listen," Zayn says, still maintaining extreme eye contact with me. He calls the guys over to us to discuss what we are going to do from here.

"The shots are coming from downstairs which is risky since the only exit is down there. We need to split up. If the shooter sees us all, we're dead," Zayn starts discussing the plan. I've watched to many movies to know you never split up, but right now doesn't really seem like a good time to argue. "Alex, Niall and I will go and the rest of you will follow. We will all meet outside by my car and drive out of here," Zayn finishes the plan. I still don't understand how we are going to get out of the club but I'm just going to go along with it.

Everybody nods to signal they heard the plan. Zayn ushers me and Niall over to the door since we were going to lead everybody out.

"I'll go first, Alex will follow, then Niall will end. Alex whatever you do, don't talk, don't run, don't do any shit that will end up with us getting shot," Zayn says in such a reassuring, gentle tone.

"Wow, so helpful. Thank you Zayn," I say, trying to ease myself with sarcasm. I hear Niall snort from behind me. Zayn just roles his eyes.

Zayn goes over to the other guys real quick to go over the plan one last time.

"You ready sweetheart?" I hear Niall whisper in my ear. I flinch a bit, not expecting him to be so close.

"Considering I've never been in a club shooting before, I feel good," I lie, giving a big fake smile and two thumbs up. He smirks.