CHASING ME DOWN [COMPLETED]

Chapter 30 (FINALE🎊)

We went out to the balcony.
"Jael... it's okay if you don't feel the same way I do. I totally understand. I'm sorry for being such a jerk these past few days. I don't want us to ruin our friendship because of this. If it's Shane that you want, I totally respect that."
"Myles...
I took a step closer to him, almost eradicating the space between us.
"Myles... I said 'no' not because I didn't reciprocate your feelings but because I'm scared that I'll never be enough for you."
"You're more than enough for me, Jael but hold up... does that mean?...
I nodded timidly.
"I love you Myles Simmons."
I reached high on my toes and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Just then the sound of gun shots filled the ambiance.
Oh no...

Without thinking twice, I raced to the hall.
"Jael, get back here! It could be dangerous."
Myles called out as he chased after me.

"Oh, the last piece of the puzzle is here."  Carlos Diego remarked when he saw me. Myles immediately tucked me behind him.
"I have the place well secured. You should hire better security in the next life, Carlson."

The Hall was practically empty. The people must have run out due to the gunshots. I scanned the Hall. The few people there were my close family relations.
Grandpa Whyte, Grandma Paula, Uncle Edward, Aunt Mia, Renata, Aunt Ava, Uncle Xavier, Carrie, Melvin, Dad, mum, Jayla and Jason.

"I told you I was coming for you Carlson, didn't I ?"
"Carlos, this has nothing to do with everyone else. Let them go."
"Sure sure why not? My bad. You may leave y'all." He said and burst into a wicked laughter. No one moved an inch.
"I didn't spend almost 13 years to just come and shoot you and go. I want you to watch as I kill everyone you love one by one... and then I can kill you."
"You're sick Carlos!" Mum spat out in disgust.
"Ouch that hurt." Carlos remarked

"We're sorry Mr. Diego." I muttered.
"What?!" He was taken aback. I realized I touched a sensitive cord in the heart and I stepped forward. Myles held me back. I nodded softly, begging him with my eyes to trust me.
"I know how it feels to be rejected by the ones of you love. At those moments, only deep regrets from their hearts can ever make you whole again so... Mr. Carlos Diego, we're sorry."
I couldn't read the expression on his face but it seemed like his soul was appeased. He lowered his gun slightly.

The police sirens blared. Darn it!
"You treacherous liar!" He fired the gun in my direction. I felt someone come out of nowhere and push me away, receiving the bullet.
"Oh no, Shane!"

As the others rushed to us, dad struggled with Carlos. The police quickly surrounded the area but held back because any shot could hit dad too. And what's more, Carlos had a gun.

Just when the police managed to get involved two bullets were fired simultaneously. Dad and Carlos fell to the ground.

Carlos Diego died on the spot.

There was a gun battle as Carlos' men resisted arrest. Jason and Myles protected the rest of us as the Uncle Edward led the police in a hot chase. We found refuge under the stairs where I tried to keep Shane awake.

As the police strode across the hall to the back exit, a bullet was fired from the top of the stairs. Uncle Edward was down.

The ambulances arrived. Father was put in an ambulance. Mum and Jayla went along in the ambulance. Jason and the others followed closely.

I was with Shane and Myles in the other ambulance. Shane tried to speak but I discouraged him. He persisted.
"Myles... take good care of her. I can bet my life she loves you with all her heart."

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At the hospital.

Shane was responding to treatment. The bullet had been removed successfully. I called Chelsea and had a driver bring both her and her mum over.

Father was still in the operating room. The doctor's remark was not at all soothing.
"I'm sorry but it'll take a miracle for him to to make it through this. The bullet was shot right through his heart and at a very close range."

Uncle Edward didn't make it. Aunt Mia and Carrie were beside themselves with grief. Grandpa Whyte and Grandma Paula took them home.

Mum and Jayla were inconsolable. Jason gathered us together.
"Psalm 34:18 says 'The Lord is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope. Philippians 4:6 also says that, 'don't worry about anything but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God."
We held hands forming a small circle. I was hesitant in the beginning but Myles encouraged me.
We began to pray for dad.

There was something unusual in the atmosphere. Something I've never felt before - something out of this world. It was HEAVENLY.
I could feel it rest upon me gently and all my anxieties, all my burdens, I felt them being lifted off my shoulders. I felt light. I knew what this was. I've never been so certain about something before but today I was.

I felt the Spirit of God upon me. It completed me- it satisfied me. It made me whole. I began to realize my life's purpose. I began to understand everything. My life had actualized.
I don't know what happened but His Spirit took over me and I began to speak in an unknown language just like everyone else.

I immediately recounted one of mum's sermons on the apostles' encounter of the Holy Spirit in the upper room. It was just like that.

That night I gave my life to Christ and I've been so blessed. I had received my salvation. Thank you Lord Jesus.