The Ways in Which I Die (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 23: "WHO SHOT ME?"

SUMMER

“Summer?” Anthony says softly as he runs his fingers over the top of Summer's hand, grabbing her attention away from the book she’s reading.

“Yeah?” Summer replies turning her gaze to meet his. Moments with him awake are rare, for the past three days he’s been in and out of consciousness, only waking up for a few minutes at a time before falling back to sleep. Hope had told her it was normal, but Summer had overheard two of the doctors talking and they aren't so sure it isn’t a permanent thing.

He tightens his grip on her hand nervously and shifts his weight in the bed so he’s looking right at her. “Who shot me?”

Summer purses her lips, not sure what to say or even if she should tell him.

“Summer, please,” Anthony says pleadingly. “I can’t remember any of it.”

“Are you sure?” Summer asks quietly.

Anthony nods his head.

“It was... Sunset,” Summer says reluctantly.

“Oh.” Is all Anthony says and is silent for a long time as he sits stewing in his own confusion. Summer can see the turmoil in his gaze as he sits in silence, probably running through all the possible scenarios for what had happened. “How’d she get in the apartment? Or was I even in the apartment?”

Summer swallows hard her mind looping back, yet again, to the mystery of that night, why would he let her in? 

“You let her in, Anthony,” Summer says as gently as she can. She wishes that he could remember at least why he let his abusive ex girlfriend into the apartment.

“Why would I do that,” he chokes surprise and even more confusion battling it out in his eyes. “She’s not- I would have just closed the door in her face.”

Summer shakes her head. “The whole thing was on the camera in the hallway, Anthony.”

“But…” Anthony protests weakly and sits up a little before flopping back in frustration. “It doesn’t make sense. Why would she even come to me in the first place?” 

“Because you’re a good person,” Summer says softly. “From the camera footage, you could tell she was afraid of something,” Summer recalls, thinking back to the security footage the police had shown her one of the days she’d been sitting idle at Anthony’s bedside. “I think you were trying to help her.”

 Anthony just frowns and remains silent, shaking his head absently. He pushes his head farther back against the pillow and groans. Summer can’t tell if it’s a groan of pain or frustration or, more likely, both. “Why can’t I remember? I can remember everything else.”

“Maybe it’s a good thing you can’t remember,” Summer tries and rests her hand against his cheek.

“Why would it be a good thing?” Anthony demands, frustration very evident in his tone.

“Do you really want someone shooting you in the head playing on a loop in your head?” Summer asks answering his question with a question.

“I guess not,” Anthony replies, not meeting her eyes. “But I still wish I could remember what she wanted.”

“Whatever it was, it was probably just a ploy to get you to let her in”

Anthony sighs and closes his eyes. “You’re probably right Summer. I just wish I hadn’t been so stupid.”

“Anthony, you can’t possibly think this is your fault!” Summer protests, knowing full well he can and will blame himself.

“I let her in Sam. I might as well have pulled the trigger myself-”

“No, Anthony” Summer says sharply. He seems to ignore her as he turns his head away from her. “Hey, look at me.” He obeys reluctantly. “You did something kind. It’s not your fault she took advantage of that and shot you-”

“How do you know that? How do you that’s what I was doing? How do you know I didn’t call her to hook up?”

“Did you?” Summer says bluntly. Knowing full well that he didn’t.

“No! I love you, I’d never betray you, Summer.” 

“Then there’s your answer, Anthony. She came to you for help or something and you tried to give it to her. It’s not your fault that she turned around and shot you.”

Anthony closes his eyes and doesn’t say anything else.

Summer lets out a frustrated sigh and leans forward to kiss his cheek.