I run down the sidewalk. Marco’s footsteps are getting closer. I run between two parked cars, but he grabs me around the waist from behind.
I try to jab my elbows into him with no luck. He tightens his grip around his waist and forces me to cross the street.
Car tires screech as a vehicle takes the turn fast and is coming at us. I stomp on his foot hard, and his grip loosens. I manage to break free and run to the other side of the road.
I glance back just in time to see the car hit Marco. It throws him a good fifty feet forward. The car then veersto the opposite side of the road and slams into a parked car.
The driver had to have seen us in the street. Was the target Marco, or was it me?
My eyes move to Marco. There is blood pooling around his head. A few people have come out of their homes and are staring at the scene before them.
“That car was speeding,” one woman says, pointing to the crashed car.
The door opens, and a man stumbles out.
Peter?
I must have said that out loud because he turns to me.
“This was an accident. I saw you leave the house. I turned around and raced back. I was staring at the sidewalk, looking for you. I didn’t see him until it was too late.”
A tear streams down his cheek. “I killed that man, didn’t I?”
“I think so. But that man was coming after me to kill me,” I say.
“He was?”
“Yes. He was a very bad guy. You saved me.”
Sirens blare as they get closer.
“Help is almost here,” I say. “I need to find someone.”
I run back and find Moose leaning up against a car, holding his side. Hunter runs to us as well.
“What happened?” he asks.
“Marco shot Moose. Then he grabbed me, but I was able to get free. Then a car hit Marco. I think he’s dead.”
“Are you all right?” Hunter asks me.
“Yes, but Moose…”
Moose is holding his hand against his side. “I’m sure it’s a flesh wound,” he says, but the pain on his face says otherwise.
Sirens grow closer, and Hunter looks around. Two ambulances pull onto the road, and Hunter waves them over for Moose. Two EMTs immediately begin to treat Moose. Two other EMTs run past toward Marco.
“Hunter, Peter was driving.” I shake my head because I can barely believe it. “He ran into Marco.”
“The podcaster?”
I nod.
The EMTs get Moose onto a gurney and tell us what hospital they’re taking him to.
“We’ll meet you there,” Hunter says.
“No, call Reed and tell him what happened. You need to stay with her.”
