“I’ll do anything for you, you know that.” I sob, tears running down my cheeks to match his. “But please let’s get back in the car and talk about it as we’re driving towardourfuture.”
He reaches into the back of his jeans and pulls out a gun.
I shake my head. “No. You can’t do this. Not just to yourself, but to me as well. You forced me into this mess. You don’t get an easy out.”
Grabbing my wrist, Zack gently turns my hand over, pushing the gun to my palm. “I love you, little sinner, that’s why I want you to be the one who kills me. Let it be your last sin,the mother of all sins to wash away everything I’ve made you do tonight. You can start fresh after this. Kill the final monster and become a blank slate ready to be whoever you want to be.”
I point the gun down, and my hand trembles. “I won’t do it. You made me think that we could be something. You can’t say you fell in love with me, and then go and leave me all alone. That’s not love.”
“But that’s exactly what it is!” He looks almost as crazy as he did that first time he scared me in the woods, but now there’s torment rather than violence in his eyes.
“I have to let you go, and this is the best way. I won’t bring anything good into your life by staying. I’m an asshole with a drug problem, no home, no friends, no job. If I don’t do this, I’ll be living a life on the run. I have absolutely nothing to offer you.”
“I don’t care about any of that stuff! You are all I need!” I scream through my tears, and I think I’ve gotten through to him until he gives me that melancholic smile I’ve seen too many times during our short time together.
He knew all along.It’s only sinking in now. Every time he smiled at me like that, he was picturing this moment.
October sixth.Death.
It makes sense now. The tattoo on his hand is not only in memoriam to his sister, it’s a reminder of whenhewill die.
“Chloe, my little sinner, you’re strong enough to get your own revenge if you want it or you can just keep driving and live peacefully. Your fate is in your own hands now. You didn’t need me before you met me, and you still don’t need me now.”
He guides my hand up to his temple, and as much as I try to stop him, I can’t. His grip is deadly.
“No, don’t you dare do this! When that biker held medown you told me to fight. Where has yours gone? Zack, baby, please fight for me. Please!” My voice cracks.
“I’m sorry. If only I met you sooner. Never forget I love you, little sinner.” His lips collide with mine for one final kiss as his finger starts to squeeze the trigger.
I scream into his mouth, “No.”
I’m not letting him do this.
I bite down on his lip until blood floods both our mouths, and I push all my weight into him. My hand slips as he tips backward, and the gun goes off. He grunts in pain, and I scream as we both go over the railing.
The world spins around me, and I squeeze my eyes shut so I don’t pass out. Strong arms and legs wrap around me. Cinnamon and blood fill my nostrils. Zack cradles my body to his. I hug him back, content that if this is how we end then at least it’s together.
We tumble through the air. The rush of water from the river below gets louder and louder until a searing pain shoots across my left side as we hit the surface and everything becomes muffled.
I try to hold on to Zack, but the current pulls him away from me. I don’t even know if he’s alive. Whether the bullet got him or not.
There’s no up or down in this cold limbo. I kick my feet and try to breach the surface, but panic as I get nowhere.
I search for Zack, hoping that my flailing limbs will find him.
I’m all alone.
The current takes me, and rocks hit my feet.My feet.
Squinting my eyes through the harsh sting of the water, I see the warm glow of the sunrise above me.
My lungs ache as I try to hold out. I’m close now. Just a few more kicks and I’ll break the surface.
But I don’t make it.
My body forces me to breathe, and I open my mouth, swallowing water in.
A dark shadow casts over me, and I know I’m gone.
