The Enigma's Anomaly

Gerard's Savior

"You saved my life," Gerard says looking void of any emotion, but shock.

"I guess?" I say, just as alarmed as him. I'm the one trying to kill him, I can't believe I just saved him.

"How did you...?"

"I mean, I saw the laser thing and I just, I don't know, guessed?"

He looks vacant for another few moments before shaking his head to gather his brain cells and then he looks directly at me.

I feel his eyes piercing into me and that's when he quickly attacks me into a hug. He leans in too quick for me to even process it, and then wraps his arms around me. His arms trap my own to my body but they still bend at the elbows so I manage to hug him back.

I shouldn't really be hugging him back, but it's hard not to. He's so warm, and his grip is really tight, like he's trying to squeeze the air out of me, but it feels really amazing. I don't know how else to put it, I just really enjoy the way he's holding me right now, with his chin on my shoulder and his head resting against mine.

It's a long hug, one that goes pretty much unnoticed because everyone is focusing on the guy who just got shot in the arm, but I barely realize what's just happened. Gerard's body being so close to mine is all I'm aware of. That guy will be fine though, it was just his shoulder. Gerard could have died.

Why do I care if he would've died though? It's my job to make that happen yet I'm the one who prevented it.

He pulls away after a bit too long but I don't care. I hope my face doesn't look gleeful but that embrace was something out of this world.

"I can't believe you saved..." He struggles for words, "thank you so much."

"Um, you're welcome I guess. I mean someone did just try to kill you," I point out.

His face falls slightly, "shit, you're right!"

"You should be fine as long as we stay hidden under here," I say to ease his mind.

"How can you be sure?" He looks petrified. I've seen that fear before. I've inflicted that fear. It hurts so much to see that fear in someone I know.

"Math. The only angle it could've been coming from to cause the ice to shatter would be that way," I say pointing in the direction that hides us from whoever just shot at him.

"I'm not good with math," Gerard says, "Who got shot? Is he okay?"

To be honest I'm not good with math either but I know my guns and that angle is the only possible explanation for how the bullet flew the way it did.

I turn to look at the man who's bleeding into his suit pretty badly, but he's really not in that bad a situation. I can tell from the way that he grips his shoulder that no permanent damage has been done.

"He'll be fine, it's just a shoulder wound."

"Where is he? I should apologize," Gerard says, and tries to stand up but I push him down. No way am I letting him get shot at again.

"Apologize for what? Being the intended target and not dying?"

"Well... no, I just mean, it should've been me," Gerard says.

"No it shouldn't. You would have died, Gerard," my throat closes at the thought. He literally was about to die. How could I ever forgive myself if he died? I mean, shit, that's not what I mean! How could I forgive myself if I'm not the one who shoots him?

Something about that question doesn't sit well in my stomach and I feel a little woozy as I sit there waiting. I'm not sure I had been aware of what I'm waiting for until I actually saw the police arrive. I'd spaced out and forgotten someone would need to call them.