Finally

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Ryder

Bang! Then again. Bang! Time seemed to slow down. I felt the barrel of the gun jerk, saw the bullets fly straight and true into her chest. She took a few steps back, surprised, then swayed and fell. I sat still, gripping the gun harder and harder. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think. I hadn’t just shot her, I couldn’t have. No. No way. I don’t know how long I sat, trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I just murdered my best friend before I came to my senses. “Get up,” I told myself forcefully. “Go see if she’s alive.” The sound of my own voice snapped me out of my trance. I stood up, and walked, almost robot like, over to her body.

“Mag?” I asked her. She didn’t respond. “Mag!” I asked again, louder. I felt for a pulse. Her skin was cold to the touch. I didn’t find a pulse, probably knew I wouldn’t all along.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered to her. “I’m so sorry.” I broke down, tears streaming down my face. “I’m sorry,” I said to her over and over again, rocking back and forth, trying to get ahold of myself.

I had known Mag for years. We met when we were training to become cops. I graduated first. A few years later, Mag became a homicide detective with me. We were partners. It wasn’t long before I realized I loved her. I never told her.

It was a long time before I was able to calm down enough to get out my phone. I dialed in the number for the station. The phone was picked up after the first ring.

“Hello?” the cop on the other line asked. His name was Rook.

“Rook, it’s Ryder. We got an officer down.”

***

The unit of detectives walked in.

“Where is she?” Rook asked.

“The kitchen,” my voice was emotionless.

Rook’s partner and the medical examiner left to look at the body. Rook stayed with me.

“Ryder, I know this is hard, but I need you to tell me what happened.” he said. “How did you find the body? Did you see anyone unusual before you entered the apartment?”

“I can tell you exactly what happened.” I said.

Rook looked surprised. “What?”

“I shot her.”