Fated Retribution

10 [Target Delta]

15th September, Monday, 9:36 am, 2028

At this point, I'm just convinced it's Petrova who is the bad luck charm.

A horde of terrified adults ran here and there at the sound of the gunshots, desperately trying to dodge any bullets fired their way. I breathed heavily as I ducked behind a pillar and saw a commotion of students being escorted out from the back door of the auditorium. My eyes searched for the rest of my companions and I saw a few of the security guards laying in a pool of blood, not moving.

My breathing grew heavier and hands went to cover my mouth, hoping that they still had life left in them. I looked around and saw Aurelia and Ivory ducking behind a pillar opposite to mine but Petrova was nowhere to be seen.

I gulped as I got out of my hiding spot and made a run towards one of the guards, lying near the entrance of the auditorium. I was still panting heavily as I turned his body over and saw blood oozing out of his leg.

"Ms. McPhinnon, this place isn't safe, we need to leave." I looked back at Ronald, my bodyguard who tried to pull me off the ground but I didn't budge.

"Call an ambulance." I mumbled as I pulled out my handkerchief and pushed it to the guard's wound, he groaned as a few more gunshots rang out followed by cries of agony, pain and fear.

"Ma'am I can't leave you-"

"Ronald, I will fucking fire you, go get an ambulance and call the police." I spoke sternly.

"Ma'am, but it's my job to protect you-"

"And to listen to my orders. I can take care of myself, go now!" I instructed and he nodded grimly, before rushing away.

"It's ok man, help is on its way just hang on." I kept muttering over and over again, not realising that the gunshots were now getting louder and out of nowhere, I was pushed to the side and I saw a bullet getting deflected by the metal plates of the water cooler which would have pierced right through my arm if I hadn't been moved from my previous position.

"Are you fucking crazy?! What do you think you were doing out there in the open?" I looked back and saw Petrova, still gripping my arm tightly. I pushed her off and scoffed.

"I was trying to help-"

"Help yourself first, don't be stupid Bridget. The ambulance is on its way he'll be fine, no one's gonna die-"

"How are you so sure about that? What if someone loses too much blood and can't make it, then what?" I cut her off and she seemed speechless for a second, as if she hadn't thought about that possibility.

I shook my head as I started to go back to the injured man but the moment I came out from behind the pillar, a sharp pain shot through my shoulder up to my neck and down to my arm. I cried out in pain as I fell to my knees and gripped my shoulder.

I felt blood soak my hand as I touched the spot and I heard Petrova call out my name as she rushed to my side and pulled me back to the hiding spot. My vision became blurry and I felt her lay my head on her lap as she pulled off her coat and pressed it to my shoulder making me wince.

"What happened to her?" I heard Aureila's voice laced with concern.

Petrova turned to Aurelia, "She got shot."

"Oh Jesus Christ." I heard Ivory exclaim in worry as I felt her sit beside me. I tried to raise my head to look at her but it was slapped down by Petrova.

"Stay still, you fucking dumbass." She scolded and I could distinctly hear the siren of a police van and ambulance coming closer and closer to us. Petrova kept increasing the pressure on my shoulder as I cried out in agony each time. The gunshots had stopped the moment the sirens had started to be heard.

"Help the others-" I started but I was cut off by a harsh glare from Petrova who was now taking off her corset and ripping some of the fabric of her shirt in an attempt to stop my bleeding. "Can you fucking shut up? God, you and your hero complex, always getting in the way."

She then turned to Ivory and Aurelia and mumbled something incoherent and they both nodded at her and left us alone.

I struggled to keep my eyes open as I made out her appearance, her hair fell in her face which was scrunched in concentration. Her hands, face, clothes were all bloody and tattered and her eyes were focused on my shoulder and I could feel the pressure increasing every second.

I turned to my left and saw a team of officers and doctors littered all over the sight, putting people on stretchers and getting them on ambulances, while the police scanned the scene.

I could also distinctly hear reporters narrating the event and I heard the word 'casualties' making me feel even more sick.

Soon, I felt myself being lifted off the ground and I could hear Petrova talking to an unfamiliar man which I thought was the doctor. I felt pricks in my arms and hands as I was put into an ambulance.

I tried to keep my eyes open as spots danced around my vision and finally, I wasn't able to hold on any longer as I relaxed and my eyes shut close.