The Former Lover [Sequel To Military Minds]

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

A weight pushed down on Rebecca's chest as she walked through the cemetery gates, hands dug deep into the pockets of her uniform.

Megan had finally been lain to rest, for all eternity. She should have been happy, but she wasn't.

Her life would always remain half-full. She loved Cameron, but what she and Megan had shared was a one in a billion lifetime chance. And it was gone, with nothing more than a bullet through the heart.

"We should hit the Boost bar," Millie walked on the right side of Rebecca, running a hand through her short, perfectly styled hair. "This day has been pretty tense, huh?"

Rebecca exhaled a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding, looking across into Millie's eyes. "Sounds great right about now."

All three girls walked into the town centre. Memories from Rebecca's past came flooding back as she padded along O'Shanssy street, glancing up at the various shops. A pet shop and video store had been here once, but had since been replaced by a frozen yogurt bar and another restraurant to add to the others already lining the street.

The only Boost she had been to was at Southern Cross Station that one time, when her and Megan had fled Military Minds. She had indulged in the strawberry squeeze, and had immediately fallen in love. No wonder all the girls from her old school had bought them on a regular basis.

"Can I please have a strawberry squeeze?" Rebecca asked, standing at the front of the small line. She made sure to smile, despite the lack of energy she now possessed. She felt tired, even though she had slept - really slept - for the first time in years.

Millie ordered wondermelon, and Jacinta mango madness. The three of them sat in an empty booth, patiently waiting for their smoothies to be made.

The store itself was small - wooden floorboards, red and white walls. A long red tiled bar was situated at the front, the low-hanging, dim lights casting a dull light over the black countertop. To add some sort of atmosphere to the place, a large canvas hung on the back wall, depicting watermelon and grapes.

Their names were called. One by one, they all went up to retrieve their much needed smoothies, taking a glad sip.

"Ohh," Rebecca sighed in immense relief, closing her eyes. Strawberries, ice yogurt and banana dominated her tastebuds. This is exactly what she needed. "This is amazing."

As she was about to take another sip, a bullet flew through the front window. Rebecca gasped, ducking in unison with her two companions.

The young woman behind the counter dropped to the floor. Rebecca gritted her teeth, taking a brave glance up. But no one was there. Hurriedly, she ran to the girl, hunched low out of any rifle scope.

Rebecca shook the girl's shoulders, but she was limp. The bullet had achieved its purpose, fatally killing her.

"We have to get out of here," Jacinta murmured. "If we stay, we're endangering the lives of everyone else in here."

All three exchanged a brief glance, inclining their heads. Rebecca grabbed a menu from the table, and covered her head with it, crawling along the floor with Millie and Jacinta behind her.

Another shot rang out, smashing through the glass protecting the frozen yogurts. Fragments rained down over the floor, causing two young kids to run out the store screaming. Rebecca paused, listening out around herself.

Nothing.

"Keep moving," Millie nudged her.

The soldier continued forward, sprinting into a run once she had cleared the doorway. Millie and Jacinta followed suit, keeping up hurried running as they flanked her left and right.