Bang

They held each other. They caressed each other. They breathed in each other's scent. They felt each other's rapid heart beat. They drank in each other's fear. They cleansed each other's guilt. They tranquilized each other's anger. They immersed themselves in each other's love.

Their quivering figures were easily spotted. The predator had found its prey. The sinister man chuckled as he watched their loving embrace. The couple had sensed they were no longer alone. The young boy lifted his head from his love's hair. Eyeing the chuckling man, he pushed the girl's head farther into his chest. She tensed; she knew what was happening. Fresh tears flowed freely from her eyes and down her face in the tracks of dried ones. He felt her tears soak through his shirt. He pulled her away from him to look into her glassy eyes.

"Don't cry my love," He whispered while wiping her tears away with his thumbs, only for new one's to replace them. "I'm not worth your tears." He placed a small kiss upon her forehead.

He was worth her tears. She couldn't handle the thought of anything happening to him. She choked out a sob throwing her arms around him once more. She knew that kiss was the last one she would ever receive from him.

The predator walked closer - slowly. He was stalking his knowing prey. He marveled at the way the boy comforted the lithe girl. He almost didn't recognize the boy he had been searching for. He almost looks human, the man thought to himself. He quickly dismissed his thoughts. This kid is far from human. His finger immediately tightened on the trigger of the small gun in his left hand at the thought.

"You need to run - as fast as you can darling." He muttered regretfully. He wished he could protect her himself, but staying with him will only cause her pain. She instantly shook her head, her anger rising. She couldn't run - she wouldn't. She couldn't believe he would order her to run away at a time like this. She had to stay to help him.

He saw movement in the corner of his eye. His head turned and his disheveled brother was in his sight. He took note of the worry his brother's eyes held.

"Take her and keep her safe." He announced to his most trusted companion receiving a small nod in reply. There were tears in his eyes that threatened to spill. The girl screeched as the young man took her away from her love. She felt as if her soul was torn in half.

The sight before him shattered his heart. The girl he would forever love was thrashing and screaming in his brother's arms. He felt as if his soul was torn in half.

"No! You can't do this! You have no right to take me away from him! Let me go!" She squealed while trying to get away from the brute. She watched as her love mouthed I Love You one last time as a single tear fell down his shadowed cheek. This made her fight harder. He got farther and farther away as a the man carrying her ran. She spotted the older man with the small gun in his hand nearing her love as she looked back.

Her eyed widened as the bearded man took aim.

A loud crack rang in her ears.

Everything seemed to go by in slow motion.

His body shot forward.

Pain registered on his face.

Blood spurted from his chest.

He fell down.

She cried out.

The man's arms tightened around her, and he ran faster. He knew his brother was now dead, but he had no time to mourn; he had to get this girl to safety. He tensed when he heard another shot. The young female in his arms screamed. He thought it was from hearing the shot, but he felt a warm sticky substance on his arm. He looked down to find a bullet lodged into the girl's leg.

A third shot rang out.

She watched as the man's eyes widened. She was jolted in his arms as his steps faltered. She screamed in terror as he collapsed to his knees - blood leaking from his abdomen. She fell out of his arms and witnessed the life slowly leave his eyes. She was frozen in shock.

She heard foot steps. Her eyes left the dead body in front of her only to land on the man with the gun. The man who had killed her soul mate and his brother. He was ten steps away.

She scrambled to her feet.

Nine steps.

She cried out in pain as she put pressure on her injured leg.

Eight steps.

She limped away from the gunned man.

Seven steps.

She fell - the pain was too much.

Six steps.

She rolled onto her back.

Five steps.

She quickly looked around, her breathing uneven.

Four steps.

She was running out of time.

Three steps.

She watched as he lifted the gun.

Two steps.

She closed her eyes when she felt the barrel on her forehead - right where her love kissed her last.

One step.

She felt warm tears run down her flushed cheeks.

Zero steps.

Bang.