Deadline≫hemmings a.u

1.2

What happened next was almost a complete blur to me.

The man in front of us barked orders at us that basically went in one of my ears and out the other. My heart was beating so loud, I wouldn't be able to hear the wail of a police siren if it was right next to me, much less what this guy was saying.

Next to me, Luke put his hands up. The man, satisfied with Luke, turned his attention to me. He said something I still couldn't here and waved the gun around.

I still didn't move.

Luke watched me carefully as the man's features contorted into an angry mask. I could tell he was shouting. He got even closer, raising his gun.

I still didn't move.

Luke's blue eyes flicked from my face to the man's hand as he flipped the safety on and placed his hand on the trigger.

I still didn't move.

He pulled the trigger.

Luke sprung forward knocking his arm to the side and the gun out of his hand while I stumbled back, the gunshot echoing in my ears. I could hear again. There was a metallic sound as the bullet struck the dumpster behind me. The man swung his elbow back, connecting with the side of Luke's jaw. Luke barely stumbled back, keeping his back foot planted in the ground as he swung his fist. He made contact with the man's nose and there was a sickening crunch.

Briefly clutching his bleeding and probably broken nose, he charged Luke, throwing his arms around Luke's middle and knocking him to the ground. He straddled Luke, punching him once in the face before Luke pushed him off, getting on top and delivering a similar blow. This went on for a while and I stared in silence, stock still.

"The gun!" Luke shouted at me.

Huh?

"Mel!" Luke groaned as he got hit in the gut. "Get the gun!"

"Oh!" I dropped the bags in my hand and scurried forward in search of the gun. I found it by the gutter. Dantily, I picked it up and ran back over to the two men. I held out the gun.

"Does it look like I can take the gun?" Luke hissed, pushing the other man's face out of his own and forcing him on to the concrete. "Shoot him!"

I stared at him incredulously. Was he really asking me to shoot someone?

"Melanie!" Luke shouted angrily, gaining the upper hand. "In the foot! Now!"

I held up the gun, but didn't pull. I couldn't pull.

"Mel!"

Luke looked back at me for a split second, but that was all it took. Luke was flipped onto his back with a sickening thud and hit in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Luke's blue eyes widened in surprise and for te briefest moment, something flickered in them. Pain? Fear?

I squeezed the trigger.

The man howled in pain and rolled off Luke, clutching his now bleeding foot. Luke shooks his head, as if dazed before quickly scrambling to his knees. He grabbed the man's shoulders, pulling him into a sitting position. Luke held out his hand, pointing and snapping his fingers out the gun. Without a bit of reluctance, I handed him the gun. He raised it above the struggling man's head then stopped. Luke signaled with his eyes to look away and I did.

There was a loud smack and then a small thud. I turned back to see Luke remove himself from underneath the guy, who was now unconscious, and hold his hand to his bleeding lip.

He let out a low chuckle that seemed to be more for my benefit than actually genuine, like he was trying to put me at ease. "Well that was a blast."