Desolation

Chapter Fifty One

((hello everyone!!! so sorry that it has been so long since the last update! as you may already know, desolation is nearing it's end (don't worry, there are still going to be a few more chapters). but have no fear, I am going to write a sequel!!! and also, if you haven't seen it already, I am having a Desolation readers contest!! for more information about it and how to enter, just go to the previous chapter! and for those of you who are planning on participating in it, don't forget that the deadline for all entries is Thursday, June 30th at 11:59 PM E.T. thank you all for being such great readers and I hope that you all enjoy this chapter!))

I pull the trigger.

In a split second, the bullet whizzes out from the barrel of the gun and plunges deep inside Hal's chest.

Right into his heart.

And then, the oddest thing happens. Instead of wincing, screaming or showing any remote sign of pain, Hal smiles. It is a wide, psychotic smile that spreads across his face and sends shivers down my spine.

"Good decision, Tessa," he croaks.

And then, before he utters another word, he collapses to the ground.

Dead.

I stand there for a few moments, frozen and trying to fully comprehend what I just did.

I just killed a man.

A horrible, evil, nefarious man.

But still, a man.

Despite this horrifying revelation, I feel a gratifying sense of satisfaction.

I did it.

For a few moments, I completely forget about everyone behind me. As I continue to stare at Hal's lifeless body, the gun falls out of my hands, clattering on the floor.

"Oh my god...," I hear Tristan murmur from behind me, breaking the deafening silence.

I whip around, staring at him. He looks up at me with wide, frightened eyes, his jaw hanging open in shock.

I look past him to see all the members of the US Coast Guard staring at me as well.

And that's when it sinks in.

I'm in some deep trouble.

"Tessa, you were not supposed to do that...," the commander says, shaking his head.

Yep, definitely in deep trouble.

"I...I...,"

But I am completely tongue-tied, unable to get any words out of my mouth.

What can I say to defend myself?

Nothing. There is nothing I can say that will convince these men that this murder was justified.

"Take her," the commander says sharply.

Before I can move, the men surround me, grabbing me by the arms and pulling me down the hallway. As we walk I turn around, craning my neck to look at Hal's body one last time. Blood is slowly oozing out from the bullet hole in Hal's chest. But something is strikingly odd about his blood; it is not red like normal blood. Instead, it is clear, with an almost gel-like viscosity.

What the hell?

Before I can look at it any longer we turn the corner and begin to walk towards the steel door at the end of the hallway. Once we reach the door the men open it, ushering me inside the dark space.

"Go up," one of the men says gruffly, pushing me towards the ladder. Hesitant at first, I slowly begin to climb up the ladder. With trembling hands, I shakily grab each rung as I ascend. I know that the men are climbing up right underneath me.