She's Gone

Gabbie's POV

"Your turn. Roll," I mumbled, taking a bite of a burrito Brian made earlier tonight. I laid my head on his shoulder and glanced at the tv before looking back to the board game in front of us. I was sitting on his lap perpendicular to his body. After his turn, I rolled and moved my game piece.

"How's the food?" he asked absentmindedly.

'It's good. As always. I don't understand how I'm the worst cook in the universe," I said dramatically. We continued playing the game as we talked.

"Hey, you aren't that bad. I mean, when you burnt that chicken it was pretty funny, but it's fine. I'll teach you if you'd like," he said, stealing a bite of my burrito. Gameplay continued for a few more minutes with lighthearted conversation. We stopped playing for a little while to focus on the show being broadcasted. He was leaned against the front of the couch, and we sat together on the floor. Suddenly, he sat up quickly with his eyes looking outside. "What did you do?" he said quietly. My brows knitted together in confusion.

"What do you mean? I didn't do anything." He pushed me off gently and stood up to go look outside but made sure to stay away from the doors and windows. I came over to stand next to him, confused about what was going on. "Baby, you're scaring me. Tell me what's happening," I said quietly, touching his arm lightly.

"They're here," he said quietly in astonishment.

"Who's here?" I asked, still not following.

"The police," he said, gritting his teeth and trying to hide an undertone of fear. My eyes widened, and I felt no need to hide my horror.

"Brian, look at me. I swear to you, I had nothing to do with this. I did not call or contact anyone, I promise. You have to believe me," I pleaded with him. He turned to look at me with pain in his eyes. He held my small hands in his calloused but comforting hands.

"I believe you. It's going to be okay, alright?" he said, kissing my forehead. "But, you can't be here. It's dangerous. Go into a different room. Whatever happens, happens. Just stay safe. I deserve whatever is coming for me," he said, his voice breaking. Tears welled up in my eyes. "It's going to be okay," he whispered, pulling me into a hug. It ended all too quickly as my heart pounded in my chest. "Okay, go down the hallway. I love you. Everything will be okay," he promised.

"Please be careful," I whimpered. He nodded and pushed me down the hallway. I went into the bathroom but left the door open. He went into the bedroom, and when he came back out, he had a handgun with him. My breathing was shaky, and I was utterly terrified. The wall that creates the hallway ends to lead into the doorway area, and he stayed on this side, hidden from outside sight. I peeked slightly around the doorway to watch what was happening.

"Come out with your hands up, and this will be a lot easier," a voice boomed from outside. I watched Brian's movements and saw his hesitation before he stayed rooted where he was. I tried to remember if we locked the door or not. I racked my brain as tears flowed down my face, but nothing was coming up. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I was terrified of losing him.

The tv was still playing the show we were watching, but everything else was silent. Nobody moved. "Brian, wait!" I whispered in a panic. He turned to me, but it was clear he was trying to keep his guard up from the people outside. "I love you, too," I said, my voice catching in my throat. I sniffled a little, and he gave me a pained expression before turning his attention back to the doorway.

Suddenly, I heard the doorknob jiggle. It was locked. Everything stopped again for a second, and it felt like the anticipation could eat me alive. Then, I heard a loud noise and what sounded like the cracking of wood. Natural light from outside could be seen streaming into the house. I bit down on my lip, and my hand flew to my mouth as I tried to keep silent. I saw Brian take a deep breath and cock his gun before peaking the most minimal amount of his body out to operate the weapon. A shot rang out into the air, and I gasped a little. My vision was starting to blur slightly from the tears.