The Archer (18+)

XII

Fila vanished after his call. He left with no parting words. Yet, I was grateful to slip away in one piece. I decided not to ponder on my wanton need I displayed earlier and chalked it down as something I had to do to not get shot to death.

I mentally scolded myself on the way to the parking lot.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I ducked on instinct. I was a few feet away from the car, engulfed by the immensely dark lot.

The once blaring music promptly buzzed into a mere hum. Distressed wailings echoing over the long stretch of sandy plains replaced it. My eyesight adjusted to the dark and I grimaced upon viewing people scampering around on the beach. Others had even managed to scale the gates. My heart surged. My already quivering knees were ready to buckle under my weight.

This was bad. This was really bad. Who the hell was firing shots? By the sounds and the mad sprinting of men with pistols before me, I assumed multiple people were shooting. Chills racked my body.

I took out my phone as I slowly begun creeping towards the vehicle. It lit up in the dark.

'Where are you? Are you hurt?'

It was a message from Raine.

'I'm right by the car. Are you safe?' I messaged back.

'Get in.'

I heard the car door click. I pulled myself inside shakily. Right after I shut the door Bleu sped out the lot.

The first thing I saw was blood. My anxiety magnified a hundred-fold. I sucked in a breath, planting a warm hand to my sporadic heart. I was too afraid to look. But I had to.

Cutthroat had splatters of red all over her face and skirt. Fat tears rolled down her rosy cheeks while she shook. Raine had her engulfed in a tight embrace and was patting her head warmly.

"What the fuck!" I bellowed.

Cutthroat flinched then began sobbing loudly. A piece of my heart broke with each sound of her weeping. She shook in Raine's arms without restraint.

"What- how-" I tried to gather my bearings, my emotions at all-time high.

I had so many questions. My eyes darted around madly for any indication of what might have happened. Then I finally noticed Bleu.

She was always pale but at that moment she was sheet white. She was taking deep breaths as both her hands clutched the wheel for dear life. She was shaking irrepressibly.

Something was off. Something was very wrong.

"What the hell happened?" I almost reached out to touch Cutthroat but decided against it.

Deep breaths Abrielle, "Brief me."

"I found her by the cliffs. She was already covered in blood. She hasn't spoken since I found her." Raine answered.

I looked at Cutthroat once more and noticed a bruise on her arm and under her eye. Her bikini was almost fully ripped from of her body. She clutched the tatters together with bruised palms.

"I- I w-will tell when I-I- we get ho-home," Cutthroat stuttered barely containing her sobs. Rained shushed her while rocking her in a soothing manner.

"What's wrong with Bleu?" I wanted to know. From what I could see, she wasn't sporting any bruises or wounds. She just looked... ill.

No one answered then I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Raine cleared her throat once to get my attention. She shook her head disapproving of my recent question.