Arabelle’s POV

I saw my mom painted against the horizon on the hill. She stood there, wailing about something. I didn’t wish to know what. My angel looked back at me one last time. He gave me a quick hug before sneaking outside. I locked the doors. The quiet click let me know I was safe inside. The sun roof of the truck was cracked just enough for me to stand up and let lose my beads. They would surely fly far and fast.

I was not scared.

Why?

I had two angels with me.

I must be dreaming, because I knew one had died a couple weeks ago.

One was creeping outside the car, towards the figures on the hill. He moved like a lion through the tall savanna grass. His graceful posture never moved a blade out of place. The wind helped disguise him and his dark colors. I grasped the weapon he had given me. It may not be a sword or gun, but it worked just fine. I had six blue beads in the pouch of the slingshot, ready to back him up. We were close enough, and the slingshot was powerful enough, to hit the mean man. I would not fail my angel!

The other angel was sitting in the passenger seat, playing with a toy action figure. I thought I was imagining things, but he smiled up to me.

“Black Widow! Black Widow!” He quietly cheered. My baby brother giggled as his Iron Man action figure flew through the open air. I smiled a little and knelt on the center consol. JC grinned wickedly.

“Shh, Jacey! We gotta be quiet.” I shushed him and watched out the tinted windshield of the truck. I had lost the angel in the grass. Soon enough, I saw him stop only five feet behind the mean man. He sure was stealthy! Then again, the cruel Loki was talking harshly to my mom.

“Going, sissy. See you soon.” JC waved his little hand and started to fade from my view. I saw my angel’s blue eyes in the sea of dying green. I started to slowly stand up. I was just tall enough that I could see out of the sun roof. My angel nodded.

Pulling back the sling shot, I felt my hands tremble at the pressure. I had to pull back the bands far enough to send the pellets going quickly and at their farthest. As I took a breath, I calmed my frazzled nerves. My angel sent a thumbs up of encouragement.

“Alright, Cap. We got this.” I whispered and took aim. The figures, I knew which one I had to aim for, were facing away from me. Squinting my eyes against the harsh sun, I took one last aim.

And let go.

The beads whooshed through the air, just tiny specks against the sky that disappeared soon enough. I waited to see if they had hit. It was barely even a second before I got my answer.

The man howled in pain, hissing loud enough for me to hear. He ducked his head and gasped. I must’ve hit dead on in the head!

Ducking down and falling into the driver’s seat, I made sure to follow my angel’s directions. He told me that I had to lay low and still. I did that exactly.

After a moment, I heard yelling and a gun shot. There was more yelling behind me and footsteps as the police were arriving on the scene. They crashed through the bushes as mayhem erupted.

And I still lay low.


Ryker’s POV

I saw the beads fly through the air and had crouched, ready to sprint. As soon as Hex started to howl in pain, I mentally cheered on my little friend. She had a good aim!

With a start, I leapt out of the bushes and crashed towards Hex. He whipped around, nearly nailing me in the head with the barrel of his gun. Ducking out of the way, I rolled on the grass.

“I knew you’d come back, Ryker.” Hex grunted as I punched him in the chest. I didn’t have time to get the gun from my holster, so I was left with my fists.

“Ready to kill my memories.” I growled back. Raelyn ducked out of the way, taking her chance to escape back into hiding.

“And I’ll take you down with me.” He snarled and landed a blow to the face. I reeled back, but quickly recovered. Rae saw me and froze.

“GO!” I yelled to her, pushing Hex back. He stumbled and reached for his gun. I desperately fought harder to keep him away from Rae. She ran, seeing my car.

“She’s not leaving yet!” Hex roared and cocked his gun. Aiming it, I saw the lust for blood in his eyes. He would shoot her straight in the back.

I could see her fall to the ground.

I could see her blood stain the grass, painting thin reeds of red in the air.

I could just imagine the grin on his face.

But that wouldn’t happen.

Not while I was still breathing.

“Not you, bastard!” I shoved him and jumped in front of the gun.

The bullet was rocketed out of the barrel. I saw it play in slow motion. Everything seemed to freeze. It headed straight for my chest as I pushed him. He stumbled and I used my body to block Raelyn.

I saw the bullet.

I saw the gun.

I saw the horizon for the last time.

And then I felt it hit my chest.

I felt the blood.

I felt the life leak out of me.

I saw my sister die. I saw my friends perish. I saw them turn away from me. I saw me turn away from them.

I saw it all. I saw the grass sway in a ragged dance. I saw Arabelle duck down. I saw her with the slingshot. I saw her eyes light up when she saw me. I watched her at the park. I remember saving JC from the car.

And I saw the blue sky. I saw the clouds. I saw Hex’s eyes widen. I saw the burst of red spatters. I saw the bushes burst to life with officers at the sound of the gun.

I saw that horizon for the last time.

And then, I saw nothing.

Notes