Notorious

22

Things seemed to happen in slow motion.

Nikki slumped over and started to fall to the concrete floor, holding her arm; blood starting to trickle down, leaving crimson stains on the ground.

My arms went out and I grabbed her, lifting her up into my arms.

I didn't have time to think, I just acted.

I pulled out my gun, firing a shot at Brandon.

With Nikki in my one arm and my gun in my other, I started running to the exit, firing my gun at whoever it would hit. I didn't care at that point.

"Fuck, Nikki." I swore.

"Shane you need to leave me. They're gonna kill you. I'm slowing you down."

"I'm not going anywhere." I answered, gripping her closer to me.

I ran down an abandoned hallway and found a corner to hide in until I could Nikki's arm wrapped and make sure she wasn't dying.

In the distance I heard someone shouting in pain and the screech of wheels.

"Nikki," I said, pushing her black hair out of her eyes. "Look at me, baby. You're okay."

"Is it bad?" She mumbled.

I took a look. I could see the bullet; it hadn't gone through completely and looked to still be intact.

"I've seen worse. Did you get hit anywhere else?"

She shook her head and I looked at her body up and down to make sure she wasn't bleeding from anywhere else.

"I have to take it out, okay? If we go to the hospital, we'll end up in jail. They'll know what happened, okay?"

Nikki nodded, resting her head against the wall. I took out a mini bottle of vodka from my jacket pocket and she snorted in laughter.

"I always carry it in case I get stabbed. Cleans everything out." I shrugged, which just made her laugh harder. "What in the hell could you be laughing about?"

"You carry around vodka just casually expecting to get stabbed."

"Hey, if you're as wanted as I am you tend to always be prepared."

I frowned when I realized she wasn't drinking any to help numb her. "Nikki-It'll help a bit..."

"Just do it Shane, please."

Fuck me.

"Nikki, I'm so sorry." I whispered and I took the knife from my pocket and slowly cut through her porcelain skin.

She gasped out and flinched and I could feel her trying to resist swinging her fists as the knife cut deeper, ripping into her flesh, tearing her skin apart. Her legs kicked out as she bit her lip, causing a trail of blood to trickle down her chin. I frowned in concentration and then I tugged the bullet out of her arm and I was right- still in one piece.

She moaned with the release.

I picked up the bottle of vodka and poured some over her cut. It wasn't bad, and it probably should've gotten stitches but I'd leave that call up to Nikki.

She cried out and hit the ground in frustration when the alcohol hit her raw skin.

I took off my bandana, tying it around her arm to stop the blood.

"You're fine now, Nikki." I murmured, pushing her matted hair out of her face as her hand gripped me.

"Why the fuck would you go by yourself you idiot!" She scolded me, smacking me upside the head, "You could've died! I was supposed to go with you!"