Ratliff’s POV
I took Renee into the city to watch the late night parade. It was called the Parade of Lights. I figured since she couldn’t hear anything, it’s be nice to give her something cool to look at. She was fascinated, in astonishment she said, “It’s so beautiful.” I smiled and put my arm around her shoulder. It was cold out, so I figured, why not? I put my phone on silent because Ross kept calling me. Renee pulled away and grabbed my wrist, I said, “What’s going on?” She said, “Follow me.”
She dragged me behind her. We sprinted down the sidewalk through the crowd. She snaked throughout the people as if she was trying to lose someone. She found an alleyway and dragged me in it. Then she pulled me beside a dumpster, so we weren’t visible from the street. She made me sit down with her. She pushed me more into the corner.
So we all went online and learned our letters in sign language for Renee. I signed, “W-h-a-t?” She signed, “B-a-d-g-u-y” I looked at my phone, 41 missed calls from Ross. It was serious, not just he wanted to talk to Renee. He was trying to warn us.
I texted him, “What’s going on?” I got a text that said, “Sky’s alive, and she got shot. There are people coming after you.” I showed Renee my phone. I heard footsteps, my eyes grew wide. Renee knew what that meant. She pushed me even more into the corner, I could hear that there were two of them. Renee didn’t have that advantage. One of them said, “Sophie, where are you?” I spelled out, “They’re here.” She spelled, “I’m sorry.” Then she ran out and tackled one of the men. Then I heard something I never wanted to hear again. A gunshot.
I covered my mouth to keep in my cries. Renee had been shot. They would have shot her again if she was still alive, right? She was gone.
Ross’s POV
We tracked Ratliff’s phone and it led us to an alleyway, but not in time. Renee was laying on the ground next to an unconscious man. She was bleeding, and not moving. Another man holding a gun turned around and saw Sky, “But, I killed you.” She said, “I guess I’m just lucky.” Riker ran at the man and jumped on him, knocking the gun out of his hand. Riker sat on the man’s chest and punched him over and over in the face.
Riker yelled, “Why do you people keep taking people we care about?” He punched the man until his face was bleeding and he was knocked out. Riker stood up and looked at the man on the ground, he sent one hard kick to the man’s side. In shock I said, “Riker.” I had never seen him like this before. He ran over to Renee. He checked her neck for a pulse. “She’s still alive. Call 9-1-1.” Sky still had my phone so she did it.
I walked down the alleyway to find Ratliff crying beside a dumpster. I crouched down in front of him, he looked up at me. He said, “If they came down the alley they would have killed me too. She jumped out to protect me. She gave her life to save mine.” I helped him up, “She’s still alive, the ambulance is on its way.” He stood up and ran over to her, where Riker was also kneeling beside Renee. Her eyes were closed and her side was bleeding.
Sky was by the street waiting for the ambulance. I walked over to her and put my hand on her arm, “You okay?” She looked up from the floor into my eyes, she was crying. She said, “What happened to us?” I said, “What are you talking about?” She said, “I did it again. I messed up everyone’s lives. I need to leave.” I said, “Please don’t Sky, I can’t lose you again.” She kissed me, I pulled her close and kissed her back. She gave me one final hug and then said, “Goodbye.” She squeezed my hand then she slipped away. She was gone.
