We had to get there first.
A new burst of adrenalin came over me and I ran faster. Glancing back over my shoulder, I saw Gray falling behind. Our eyes met and a shared look passed between us. We had to keep going or we’d die. It was that simple. His jaw hardened and he bent lower, pumping his arms faster. He was back on my heels again.
Their truck had to leave the school parking lot. They would have to go back into town, then through two stoplights before it could turn around. It would have to circle behind the field. We could do this. We could beat them. Maybe.
Then I heard a gasp, followed by a thud, and braked, turning at the same time. Gray had fallen down. He was on the floor. His ankle was turned sideways, and he was bent over, grabbing it with a hand. The other was holding him up. He looked up, his eyes wide with panic. We both knew what this meant. I couldn’t carry him. We were losing our small window.
The blood drained from his face and beads of sweat formed over the top of his lip. He grimaced, bared his teeth, and then waved at me. It was a weak gesture and his hand dropped back to his ankle. He choked out, “Go. You can still get away.”
“No.” I shook my head.
“Taryn!”
I looked around, tuning him out. I had come for him. I wasn’t leaving without him.
“Go, Taryn. What are you doing?”
“I’m looking for something. Maybe I can use a stick to brace your ankle and you could still run then?” I was searching, scanning everywhere. The panic was burrowing deeper inside of me, poisoning every cell of my body. My chest was tight and I knew I was panting from running, but I shoved all of that out of my mind.
The goal was to save Gray. I just needed help. My eyes kept searching for something… Then we heard footsteps in the tunnel. My heart sunk. Gray glanced to where we had come from, but they weren’t coming from there. They were coming from where I had first entered the tunnel. We were too late. They had already cut us off and there was no escape. We were trapped.
A wrangled cry ripped up from the bottom of my throat and I dropped to my knees beside Gray. I was frantic. There had to be something—the footsteps were louder, they were almost on us.
“God,” a whimper left me. I couldn’t find anything. Then I began patting myself down. Did I have something on me that I could use? My knife—Gray wrapped his hand around mine and said, so damn softly, “Taryn. You have to go.”
I shook my head. I wouldn’t leave him.
His hand squeezed mine. “It might not be too late for you. It’s too late for me. You know this. Go, Taryn. Thank you for trying.”
Oh my god. A sob tore from me, but I wasn’t crying. I wouldn’t. There had to be something. “No, Gray. No.”
“Taryn—”
I shoved his hand off and glared at him. “I said no.” Then I yanked my knife out, tore off the bottom of my shirt, put the knife next to his ankle, and tied my shirt around it. I yanked on the knot, making it tighter, and then I grabbed Gray’s chin and forced him to stare into my eyes. “Get. The. Fuck. Up.”
He gave me a half grin, but I could see the strain. Pain flashed over his face and he grimaced. “You’re such a bitch.”
“Yes.” I stood, grabbed him by both arms, and yanked him up. “I’m also selfish, and on that note, we’re leaving. I don’t give a shit how long it takes us.” I pulled out the gun and held it in front of me.
”Hold with both hands. Keep the thumbs separate. Firm grip. Support it and it will support you.”
Jace’s instructions came back to me and I closed my eyes for a moment. We couldn’t run any further, but there weren’t a lot of footsteps. There was still hope. I could shoot them and we could keep going. Taking a breath, I let it out. Inhale. Exhale. Gray stood behind me and I waited, my heartbeat sounding in my eardrums. The person was close.
”If you shoot, aim for the chest, it’s the biggest target. The shoulder will wing. The leg will stop them. The gun is an extension of your arm. It’s a part of you. The firmer the grip, the better your aim will be.” Jace had been standing close to me when he said those words. We were at a gun range. It was years ago, but it was now too. I felt Jace there. He was still teaching me, as I was getting ready to shoot his men.
Gray knew what I was doing. He placed a hand on my shoulder, giving me support and I raised my gun.
Two seconds.
I wasn’t going to shoot the shoulder or the leg. I was going to shoot the chest. Whoever was coming, it was him or us. It was going to be him.
One second.
My throat was suddenly dry. My finger went to the trigger. I was ready.
“Taryn!”
My finger started to squeeze, but I saw who it was and a guttural scream ripped from me. I dropped the gun, and bent over as I dry heaved. My heart was pounding. Oh god. I lifted my eyes back up, horrified. It was Tray. I choked out, “I almost shot you.”