Epicenter

Prologue

"Stay with me Steve," Andrew whispered, trying to control all the blood flow from Steven's right chest. "Someone grab me a piece of cloth please."

Veronica lended it to him. It was bad, Steven had been shot. His right chest was bleeding and he looked like he could give up any minute.

"I knew it was a bad idea," Sarah said rubbing his palms. "We should never have let him go out."

"He is going to be okay right?" Veronica asked worried.

:"We'll just have to see," replied Andrew busy wrapping his ribs with the cloth. 

Scarlet could not move. She stood there frozen, watching the blood drip from Steven's body. She was convinced it was her fault. She was convinced that Steven was hurt because of her. With every passing moment her heart, hurt just a little more. She could not take it anymore. She turned around to leave the room. She was too guilty to be in front of Steven.

"Scarlet, please listen to me," Steven called out. "Don't leave me now."

She looked around. Steven's condition deteriorated further. So she walked to his side. Taking his hand in hers. Her tear stained face with her deep blue eyes, looked right into Steven's. 

"Hey," Steven said, just like his usual self.

"I am sorry, I am really-"

"Hey hey hey. It's not your fault," he said, trying to keep that smile on his face. "Can you do me a favour?"

"What?" Scarlet said, with utmost difficulty.

"Please be honest with your answer to this," he said, suffering in pain. 

"Steven you should really stop talking," Andrew said.

"Just a minute buddy," he said with intricacy.

"Scarlet, I love you. I am in love with you. I know that I am not exactly the person you are looking for and I agree we have had our ups and downs. Hell I know I have been the most offensive ass to you. But I am deeply, truly in love with you."

His breathing was becoming difficult. 

"Steven this is not the time," Scarlet said, utterly shocked. "You need to get better. We need you to be with us."

"Oh I'll get better. I am not going anywhere. I just need to know wether you feel the same way for me."

Scarlet could not reply. She was conflicted. For the first time she did not know what to do. Exactly at that time there was a loud shot outside. It sounded like someone was trying to break down the front door.

"What was that?" Sarah asked, extremely tensed.

"I think we are under attack," replied Andrew.

Steven oblivious to everything looked at Scarlet. She was confused and that moment a shot pierced the window. Shattering the glass all over.