I Fell In Love With A Convict

IV. Wild-goose Chase

Several things happened simultaneously, a state in which I could only take a glimpse of everything that is taking place. 

 

Phillippe swiftly threw himself to Garnet’s direction while cuddling me in his arms, and the next thing I knew the unconscious little girl was already slumped over his shoulder where I used to be. The men in black each launched themselves forward from every direction, forming a deadly cage of assassins around us. Octavius, on the other hand, remained where he stood, his eyes glowing with triumph and malice. I focused at him mostly than the rest of our killers, and I saw how he tightened his grasp around his gun and slowly raised it pointed at us. I contemplated… Phillippe was the hindrance to his plans; I know he wouldn’t kill me first. I threw a fearful look at Phillippe in an instant. He wasn’t acting at all as the killers moved nearer and nearer. Only his crystalline eyes were moving from one leaguer to the next.

 

“Phillippe! He’ll shoot you!” I whispered in panic, but Phillippe remained still. I clutched on his clothes firmly. “Phillippe! He’ll kill you!” 

 

He looked at me this time, and gave me a penetrating gaze that left me disrupted. He then shortly shifted his gaze to Octavius and muttered in a surprisingly dark tone.

 

“No, he’ll shoot you.”

 

After his statement, I threw my eyes to Octavius and saw that his finger was already on the trigger. I stared at it dreadfully before forcing myself to shut my eyes tighter than I ever did before. My heart was failing, and the sound of a gunshot echoed around us. I knew then that I would soon be bleeding to death. 

But I didn’t feel anything… I felt nothing… even though I could hear Octavius’s malicious laugh. Why? I opened my eyes to see the terrible truth. I saw blood… but the unnerving fact is that it wasn’t mine. My eyes widened as I looked at Phillippe frightfully. 

 

“PHILLIPPE!” I screamed. “You’re bleeding!” I eyed his wounded arm and my mind was suddenly being blocked out. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t do anything. But Phillippe’s expression didn’t change despite it all…

 

He gave me a soothing look, but not a word escaped his lips. I heard Octavius’s voice instead.

 

“Ha! I didn’t know that you were capable of idiocy, Phillippe! I know you perfectly knew that I was only aiming at her to get to you. I never assumed that you really might obstruct even the bullet just for her! My, my, Phillippe, what is going on here?” Octavius snorted as he squared his shoulders. 

 

I was astounded. So I actually was the target. Phillippe knew that Octavius will attempt to direct the shot at me so he could shoot him… but still he got in the way… for me. Why? I gazed at Phillippe in grief and perplexity. Why would he risk his life just for me? Precisely as Octavius had questioned -- What is going on?

 

Because of the awkwardness I felt, I became mindful of our condition. I grew conscious that I was pressed against Phillippe’s chest as he waited for the elites to gradually draw near. I can’t deduce what he’s planning to do, and I personally think that it’s impossible to flee now. We are trapped, and there is no way we can break through.

 

“Phillippe! Just leave me here! I can watch out for myself!” I hissed while struggling to free myself. Phillippe pressed me further against him, defying my will. I tossed him an incredulous look. “What are you doing?! Set me down and run!”