Consequences

Chapter 45 : Liam

Through his scope, Liam saw Kylie collapse, clutching her shoulder as blood poured from the wound. Liam had the steadiest hands and the sharpness of an eagle's eye. He didn't accidentally shoot her into her shoulder instead his hands trembled when he was about to pull the trigger and take the perfect headshot. He didn't know why but he hesitated to take the shot.

But, it did some serious damage. The bullet had struck her subclavian artery. She was bleeding profusely, her life slipping away with every passing second.

An inexplicable wave of sadness and guilt crashed over him, drowning him in emotions he couldn't comprehend. He didn't remember her, yet seeing her fall filled him with a profound sense of loss and despair. His breath struck, his vision swimming with tears. He didn't understand why this felt so wrong, why he was filled with such overwhelming sadness and guilt. His mind was a storm of confusion and regret.

"Kylie!" Xander's anguished cry echoed through the open ground. He sprinted towards her, dropping to his knees beside her. "Stay with me, Kylie. Stay with me."

Kylie's eyes fluttered open, her breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps. "Xander... It's... him," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the chaos.

"Don't talk. Just hold on," Xander said, his voice cracking. He scooped her up, cradling her against his chest as he stood, blood staining his hands and clothes. "Damien, we need to get her to the van. Now!"

Damien was at his side in an instant, his gun drawn and eyes scanning the surroundings for any threats. "I've got your back. Let's move."

Together, they rushed toward the van, Xander carrying Kylie while Damien covered them. Every step felt like an eternity, each second bringing them closer to the brink.

"Aidan, target Damien," Desmond's voice cut through the turmoil in Liam's mind. "Take the shot. Now."

Liam's heart pounded in his chest, his vision blurring with unshed tears. He repositioned his rifle, finding Damien in his sights. Damien stood guard, his eyes locked on the building, ready to defend against any threat. Liam's scope centered on him, the perfect shot lined up.

"Aidan, take the shot now!" Desmond's voice crackled through his earpiece, dripping with impatience and anger.

Before he could pull the trigger, a sudden flurry of gunfire erupted around him as someone yelled behind him, "Don't even dare to shoot my best friend!

Liam spun around, eyes wide, as four of Desmond's men guarding him fell to the ground, taken out by a single figure. The intruder moved with deadly precision, each shot expertly placed.

Ariana stood before him, her gun still smoking, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. She was breathing heavily, her presence commanding yet laced with an undeniable sensitivity. Her eyes, though hardened by the situation, held a depth of sorrow and urgency.

"L-Liam," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Y-you're alive."

Liam's mind reeled. "Who are you?"

Ariana's face was a mixture of relief and shock, yet there was a flicker of sorrow in her eyes. "You don't remember, do you? They did something to you." She stepped closer, her voice urgent and filled with emotion. "I don't understand... How-"

Liam pointed his handgun at Ariana and yelled, "Step back or I'll shoot you! I don't know who you are!"

Ariana raised both her hand in the air as she stopped. Her expressions calm and were making sure to not scare him.

"Liam, it's me, Ariana. You were shot right in front of my eyes. Desmond's men shot you. Xander had to abandon you at the dock because we thought you were dead and there were bombs set around the place. We-"