How To Save His Life

In Your Eyes

"Think about your answer Ryan. Because it'll determine whether you live or you die. For the umpteenth time, Where.Is.He?" The accuser's voice growled at the end of the sentence, sending chills down the my spine. I couldn't imagine what the victim was feeling, apart from the cold steel pressed against his temple.

My breath became jagged. I was a few feet away from them. How they didn't hear me tumble down that little hill, I won't know, and I don't really care.

Especially right now.

I inched back slowly, my hands sweating while I crushed the leaves beneath me, pushing my heels outward. I kept on crawling backwards like a crab, until I reached a tree. I got to my feet and rested my back. My chest lifted up and down rapidly.

I drew a deep breath in and closed my eyes, resting my head on the tree. What the hell am I supposed to do? I can't just let this guy die. I have to do something.

Here goes nothing.

I shut my eyes, creases appearing at the corners, and moved the pebble around my hand in a hesitating movement. The smooth texture rolled around it, becoming moist from the touch of sweat that embraced my skin, glistening in the hot, piercing sun.

It was all I could find! A big fat pebble! Pebble, a life is in your imaginary hands. You're going to save a life today. And maybe kill one...

I peeked out of the tree, enough to look at the scene before me without being caught.

Ryan's eyes bulged wide open and his rough and scratchy jaw full of stubble clenched.

"I don't know where he is!" Ryan yelled frantically. He mindlessly tried to pry the guy's fingers from his collar, failing miserably. Ryan was taller, but the attacker had him pinned up a tree with incredible strength. Blood trickled down from his cut lip. His face looked like a canvas made for masochists. His eye was splotched with a mix of colors that ranged from purple to black and yellow. It sickened me so much that I felt bile rise up in my throat.

I grimaced and swallowed it back down, massaging my throat to help it ease.

"You're his boss! You're one of the few people who saw him before he disappeared without a fucking trace!" Anger seeped out the guy's mouth. I winced at every word that he said. He said it with so much hate. I could feel his rage. Every word he said, it came out in a growl.

"I swear on my mother's grave that I do not know where he is! I called him several times when he didn't show up at work and it seemed that not a single fuck was given! From the start, he has never gotten up from his lazy ass! I never saw him show effort in his work! He was a dissapo-"

"Don't you fucking dare finish that sentence!" The gun was shoved inside Ryan's mouth, stopping him dead in his tracks. "You know damn well he was the only one who put effort in that business! That was the reason why you put him in charge!" Ryan shook uncontrollably. He was broken. Muffled sobs were forced out from the grown man. His pleading eyes searched for pity.

"While you were out wasting your time in strip clubs and pubs, your line of work was plummeting down rapidly."

Ryan's eyes opened widely in shock. A stifled sob escaped his lips. He gripped the gun, letting out somewhat understandable pleas.

"Bet you didn't know that huh? He built it back up. Without any thank you's waited for or any recognitions. You should be thankful. SAY IT!"

I jumped at the sudden force of his words. Birds flew away rapidly, also scared. I wouldn't want to be here either. More muffled sobs were let out from Ryan's lips and after three attempts of saying thank you with the difficulty of having a gun in his mouth, the attacker finally pulled it out and loosened his grip on Ryan's collar.