Prestigent

Prestigent (Chapter 24)

One of the most depressing chapters yet...

CHAPTER 24

CALEB POV

I look at the shadowy reflections of my face upon the ceiling of the Bean. I pull away some of the ivy so I can see it better. There are dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep. I look out at the darkening sky, looking deeply at its dark hues.

It is 9:57

I look out at where Cara hides just a few yards away, concealed by the overgrown weeds in and around Millenium Park. She lies in the tall grass, recording with a small computer. I give her a thumbs up quickly, then turn away, not wanting to let people know she is there. I shake nervously, hidden in shadow.

Suddenly, something moves near the train tracks across the street. I shift nervously, putting my weight on the other foot. I pull my shirt down further, trying to conceal the bulge of the gun in my pocket. I look up again and see the dark figure that moved is gone.

Suddenly, I see Marcus come out from one of the surrounding buildings, walking quickly towards the Bean. I hold my breath...

"Hello, Caleb," Marcus says, a grim smile dwarfing his face. "Not hanging out with Tobias anymore I see..."

"Hello, Marcus... glad to see you again," I say nervously.

"Cut to the chase. We both know that you are here to make me an offer about the cloning, and I am only here to accept or decline."

"Fine. I want $500,000 for me to help you with the cloning experiment. But what exactly do you want to do with a clone of my dead sister?"

"How do I know I can trust you with that information?" I hesitate, not knowing what to say. I reach down, fumbling for my gun.

"Looking for this?" Marcus says, holding the gun mockingly in front of me. I stiffen, not knowing what he plans to do with my gun. "Now that this is out of your hands, tell me, what are you really after? This is just a trick to find out what I intend to do, is it not?"

I stay quiet, staring coldly back at him. He lifts the gun up to my head, pointing it directly in between my eyes.

"You really think that scares me? The gun, I mean. You couldn't even attempt to clone Tris without me," I remark, not very confident in my words. I never predicted this would happen.

"Oh, really..." Marcus presses the cold metal to my forehead, clicking the bullet into place.

I close my eyes, holding my breath. I swat my hand quickly at the gun, moving it to the side just in time. The bullet wedges itself into the Bean's glassy surface. Marcus swings the gun at my head, trying to make contact with my skull. I duck. He quickly shuffles backwards, pointing the gun at me, wiping a bead of sweat from his hairline.

"I'll give you one last chance. Tell me, why did you try to trick me? Are you working with Tobias?"

I stay silent. He shoots at me, making me duck.

The bullet shoots out of the mouth of the Bean, lodging itself into Cara's stomach. I cry out, looking at her, tears rolling out of my eyes. Her eyes turn glassy and she slumps closer to the ground. I run for her, ducking bullets. I get on my knees next to her, holding her in my arms.

"It's okay... Cara... Cara don't leave me," I say sobbing. "Cara, I love you." And that's when the bullet hits me in the shoulder. Cara looks at me, her eyes closing. I sob, holding her close. "Cara, don't go. Stay awake, please."

"I love you too..." Cara says, her voice weak. Tears begin to roll out of her eyes. I hold her as her eyes slowly close, the blood still seeping heavily from her wound.

Black spots begin to appear, shading my vision. My eyes slowly close...

The last thing I see is Cara's lifeless body on the ground, my arms still around her...

It was 10:07 when Cara took her last breath...