The Story No One Knew (Third Book In 'The Story We Live' Series

Hit

We all towered over him, peering down at his motionless face. Even me and Echo had stood now.

"Back up!" Sean yelled at us in a frenzied panic as he knelt down beside his cousin.

He began the basic crisis procedures; checking for pulse and air exhalation. Watching the blood drip from Brad's shoulder added on to the anxiety I already felt. The body language from the others wasn't helping my blood pressure either. I felt as though I'd throw up. Hunter already did.

He was out instantly on the bullets impact, I'm guessing from the pain being too much.

He was alive though - I could see his chest moving, but looking at Sean remove Brad's shirt and seeing the naked wound in the fire light, I got instantly dizzy. I left Echo's side and sat down again, there was no way I could watch.

Brad's mom was in absolute hysterics and had already ran inside to call police. We're not sure why or who did this but it was undoubtedly heartless.

My head was pounding and all noises around began to shift into distant hums. All I could hear was my fast paced breathing. My vision began blocking out everything in a blurry haze. All around me looked like far away city lights without the glow.

I close my eyes and let everything slip away. I don't let myself think or worry yet somehow I convince myself that this wasn't even happening.

***

I didn't go to the hospital with them, I couldn't bring myself to go. Instead, I stayed there in his living room and let my simple prayers act as though I was there along with the rest of them. Echo stayed back with me though. She didn't want to necessarily but I asked her to.

"There's some pizza left!" I hear her voice call from the kitchen, breaking the empty silence.

"No thanks." I say back. I could eat but I really didn't need to. I'd probably throw it up anyways.

I hear her steps come in from behind me but I don't look. "Here." She comes around the couch and hands me a plate.

"I said-"

"Just eat it."

"No really, I-"

"Come on, you know you want to."

"I said no! Okay? God!" Of course I didn't mean to yell but I was just so overwhelmed.

"Okay." Her voice was quiet surprisingly - I had expected her to yell back. I look up at her. She pulls the plate away from me and walks quietly back out of the living space.

Ugh. First girlfriend, first day and she already hates me.

"Echo, you know I didn't mean to yell." I step into the kitchen area and feel the cold tiles against the bottoms of me feet. She wasn't in here but the plates she just had were sitting atop the counter. "Echo?" I then feel a breeze scrape against my arms and look over to the source.

The front door was wide open letting in the air from outside. I don't think anything of it except that it needed to be shut and I was headed to do just that when it hit me - Echo left.

I rush to the door and step out in a hurry. Whipping my head in every sort of direction I only see darkness. Ready to run after her, I realize I had no shoes on. I sigh in annoyance and head back inside.

I'm falling all over the house looking for my shoes but I couldn't find them anywhere.

Are you kidding me? I just took them off!

Then I realize I had used the bathroom right when I came in earlier. Upon finding them, I slip them on while starting out the door. I trip on the dining table but manage to stay up and then I sprint without hesitation straight out of the house and towards the open street.

Brad's house is surrounded by bundles of trees, enough to be considered a forest so it was either check the street or go into the woods this late at night. I don't even think she's that crazy.

Checking up and down the entire street as I scream her name repeatedly, I have no luck at all. The only source of light I had to work with were the street lights but they're presence only gave the dark road a more eery appeal and it gave me chills.

Hoping she'd get over it soon and come back, I'm ready to give up and I turn around and begin the walk back to the house. Reaching for the handle I hear something slight and stop altogether. I listen in not making a move.

It's definitely a crunching sound of some kind but given that it was clearly coming from the depths of the trees, I knew it was the sound of leaves most likely under Echo's feet. As anyone would do however, I could only pray that they were Echo's as I redirected my destination into the woods.

I guess she is that crazy.