Crying: A Dystopian Novel

Bleeding: Chapter 3

++++ JOHN ++++

My heart pounds as I lay the gun down and stand. I want him dead. It isn't enough for him to ruin our lives. He wants to kill us. I turn to face Anna. Michael's still standing in front her. I make eye contact with him and nod, and he knows what to do. He gets Anna, Eleise, and Laelynn to slide down the bank. I had remembered an old cove this morning when we were setting up the party; it's right beneath where they slide down, and the men won't be able to find it easily.

"Get them!" The man shouts, standing up to face me. I reach down and grab the gun.

"Go, Grace!" I shout. I can't lose her again.

"Shoot the traitor!" The man says, and several shots echo off the trees. One of his men hand him a gun as I raise mine.

"Shoot me, I shoot you." I say.

"Shoot me, you get shot ten times." He says. "Rich, give him a taste."

He cackles as pain sears through my foot and I fall to my knees. "Very well. Do the same to the other boy." Another bang rings out, and I glance over to see Michael lying on the ground, clutching his foot.

"Let's go, for now." They all laugh as they leave. I lie on the ground and try not to focus on anything but breathing.

"John, are you okay?" Grace kneels next to me.

"Did they hurt you?" I say, ignoring her question.

"No. Oh gosh, John. Look at your foot." I turn to see Anna scrambling up the bank and I force myself to stand and go help her. I scream inside at every step, but I don't care.

"John!" She tackles me with a hug, knocking the wind out of me. I shift positions off my foot, and she notices where I've been shot. "You got hit!"

"Are you okay?" I say. That's all that matters right now.

"John, you've been shot! Stop trying to be Mr. Tough." Her eyes scream for me to worry about myself. She kneels and starts to put pressure on it and I wince. Grace has driven the golf cart over to Michael and they are helping him on.

"Go help your brother. I'm fine." I lie. She turns and runs to him, and I limp over and lay down on the back on the back seat of the golf cart. I feel like puking.

"John? Look at me. Grandma Elle's gonna get it out. You need to try and go to sleep." Anna's face hovers over mine, worry in her eyes. I'm lying on their couch.

"Did she get to Michael?" I'm not gonna let them help me before him.

"Yeah, he's asleep. Don't worry about it." I close my eyes and fall asleep.

************************************************

++++ ANNA ++++

I'm screaming inside, but calm my nerves. "Michael?" I knock on the door.

"Yeah?" His voice echoes across the room, and I walk over to him.

"How are you?" I ask.

"Better. How's John?"

"I don't know. He was doing well last I heard." His ability to care for others astonishes me. He sits up and puts his arm around me.

"That's good. Ah-" Michael winces as he presses his feet on the floor.

"Here, lay down. I'll leave."

"No, stay. I'm fine."

"You sure?" I ask.