What Happens in Vegas

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

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KATE

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When the bullets rang out around me, my body automatically went to ground. It was instinctual and I scurried along the ground to the safety of a booth. I slid as far back as I could and saw others doing the same. Some weren't so lucky, falling after being struck by a bullet before they could get to safety. My eyes scanned the area, what I could see of it anyway, I didn't dare poke my head up. As my eyes went to the left, my heart stopped.

In the middle of the carnage, surrounded by furniture shredded by bullets, stood a little boy, he couldn't have been more than 2 years old. His hands were over his ears and I could see he was screaming his little lungs out, though I couldn't hear him over the sound of the gun. Before I could even think, I found myself out from the safety of my booth, the boy in my arms and scrambling for a booth on the other side of the small cafe.

I hold him close to my chest, his little sobs wracking his body. I check him over quickly, finding no injuries I hug him tight, his arms wrapped around my neck holding on for dear life. I try to cover his little ears with my upper arm and hand, and we sit tight, waiting for the bullets to stop, or for our hiding place to be found. It felt like hours, though it was probably only minutes, when the firing stopped as quickly as it started and an eerie silence descended on the café. No one moved, whether they were able to or not. Everyone stayed in place and waited. For what, I don't know. Our death? A signal that it's safe? Chases face flicks through my mind. What if I never see him again? The thought has me more afraid than the bullets did, and I'm hit by just how strong my feelings for Chase are.

The sound of footsteps has me gripping the little boy tighter to me. He's too little to have to go through this.

"NYPD! Everyone hands above your heads and exit the building." A voice rings out. I keep one arm wrapped tight around the boy and stand hesitantly as I see others do the same. I put my free hand up and step out from behind the booth. A police officer scans me with his eyes and simply nods, allowing me to carry the little boy out of the cafe.

The world outside is a blur of lights and sirens as we all walk like herded cattle out of the cafe and towards an unknown location. Everyone seems to just stop and congregate in one place so I stop with them. I have no idea what to do or where to go, my mind still lost to the events in the café.

The boy is pulled from my arms by a man and I'm wrapped in a hug by a woman. I watch as the man smothers the boy in kisses, tears in his eyes, and the woman sobs in my arms. I'm trying to comprehend why I'm the recipient of such a hug, but my brain isn't working. The woman lets me go and grabs the boy and I'm locked in the arms of the man. I simply return the hug, unable to do anything else, unable to form words to voice the question of what's happening. It's like everything is moving in slow motion, but I can't grasp onto to anything around me.

The man is speaking, but I can't hear his words. He lets me go, leaving his hands on my arms, a smile on his tear stained face. I find myself giving him a confused smile back. A panicked voice filters through the white noise around me.

"KATE!" I slowly turn towards it, my eyes blinking as I try to see through the haze in my eyes. And there he is, sweaty and breathless as if he just ran from the office. My vision clears and the sounds around me become more coherent.

"Chase..." My voice was soft, but somehow he heard it, or maybe sensed it. My feet moved towards him, slowly at first before breaking into a run. He moved with quick strides towards me, closing the distance between us. When I'm close enough I launch myself into his arms, wrapping my legs tight around his waist and burying my face in his sweaty neck. He catches me, holding me so tight I can barely breathe. But I don't care. In the safety of Chase's arms, the emotions of what just occurred hit me all at once, and I sob into his neck. He doesn't let me go, keeping his tight hold, he lets me cry until exhaustion takes over my body and the world around us fades away.