Revive (Book Two)

Chapter Fifteen: Haunted

My focus was sharp, staring into my target. Fingers clenched steady on the weapon I've come to know how to use very well over the years. Index finger, approaching the trigger, waiting for any sudden movements. Until it all crumbled when the slightest sound distracted me enough to avert my eyes towards the nuisance.

Usually I was able to keep a target of attention without distraction, but I knew whoever or whatever was approaching, was in for big trouble.

Miles stared into my eyes widely, then flicked his stare to my gun, unaware of the show that was happening in this very room. When his eyes moved from his sisters petrified composure, back to mine, he looked of a deer in headlights. Subtly, I stared at him, giving him any hint I could to go the other way. To just turn the other direction and get out of here. To wait. Wait for his sister on the other side and take the passports and leave like planned. My message to him was all in the power of one stare.

But it wasn't good enough.

My brain didn't recognize what happened, nor did it react. I looked down at my pouring stomach and frowned. Although logically, I knew I was in immense pain, I didn't physically feel it. The shock factor set in quickly, discarding my wellbeing and replacing my worry towards the girl screaming in agony, as if she had been shot herself.

Two more bullets flew, one being from my own gun, but it was Miles that fell over, not Nash.

In the moment his body smacked against the concrete ground, Aria and Nash disappeared. It was just me and Miles, alone in the cold as he were taking his final breaths.

My ears only heard the loud gulp in my throat as I swallowed my fears and stared at the concrete soaking up his blood like a leech. My heart thumped, louder and louder, pounding against my chest, begging to be freed from its chamber. My feet felt like they were cylindar blocks, stuck on the ground as I attempted to walk over to him.

He was dying.

Hovering over his body, he turned and looked up to me, choking out and wheezing for air to alleviate his pain. I peered into his bright eyes, dimming by the second.

When blood started spitting in the air from him coughing, I watched calmly as he started to suffer deeper, and convulse. I didn't move a muscle, I didn't speak. I didn't even attempt to help him. I let him ache in silence.

I smiled at his final breath. Monstrous.

"Elias?" Her voice, so recognizable I didn't have to look away from the dead body. My emotions immediately flew into an overwhelming feeling. "What have you done?" She scolded. "What have you done?"

Light foot steps scurried over to the scene. Her white silk dress fell delicately around her feet, soaking in the blood at the seams. Her brown hair was in bouncy curls, surrounding around her face as it settled from the movement.

She looked up, her green eyes beaming into mine but a frown on her face. "Elias?"

My eyes welled with tears, one escaping down my cheek. "Momma?" My voice cracked. "It's really you?"

I didn't dare blink as another tear fell down my face. I couldn't look away, I refused to. She'd disappear the second I took my eyes off of her.

She glanced down to Miles, then back to me. "He's dead," She addressed with horror. "You killed him. Elias, why would you do this, sweet boy?" She placed a hand on Miles' chest. "Why?"

"I didn't..." I mumbled. "It was an accident-I-" I stumbled to find my words. I stared at her being. It really was her. "Mom?" I asked. "I'm-I'm-I'm scared."

She frowned. "What happened to my sweet boy?" She said in haste. "You shouldn't have done this, Elias. This is not the work of my son," She admitted.