Perhaps it is the fact that he is clearly not fully here, but he hasn’t noticed the gun.
But I remember it.
“Let me say goodbye,” William calls out.
I find him over Maxwell’s shoulder. He is closing the gap between us now. My attention flickers around until I find her. Veronica is further away, behind Maxwell’s car, her eyes focused unblinkingly in my direction.
The rain is still pouring. We are all drenched. It is painful, uncomfortable, but not enough to stamp out the awful that is this night.
Maxwell steps back and my arms fall as I step away from the edge.
“Say goodbye to Sunday? How fucking sweet. Fine. Why the fuck not?” Maxwell huffs but steps away and allows just enough space for William to wrap me in his arms.
“Take care of Veronica. She is going to need a friend. Need someone to hold onto.” William’s words don’t make any sense, but then he is reaching down. Tugging the gun from the band of my shorts.
Spinning around. Raising the weapon.
“Goodbye Maxwell.” William pushes me away from the edge, off and towards the guardrail.
“No you fucking–” Maxwellcharges.
Bang!
The shot is loud, sharp,painfuland I want to cover my ears, but I turn to face the men.
The scene plays out in a clipped burst of pictures.
William twisting Maxwell, pushing him towards the edge.
Maxwell reaching out, extending.
William side-stepping him.
Maxwell raising the gun, aiming it at me.
William diving towards him.
Bang!
This time I try to dive forward to grab hold of William’s shirt.
I miss it by inches.
And then they both are tumbling. Their screams are nearly drowned out by the rain.
Nearly.
Falling to my knees, I try to desperately see if William will make it.
Veronica’s wail is piercing and sharp as I hear her footsteps behind me. But then she doesn’t stop, passing me, and I have to catch her from launching off the edge.
“Stop! Stop!”
The screaming is gone now.
They’re both dead.
And again, just like before…
