Chapter 4 Please Save Me
“I hope we never see you again, lan said, standing by the poolside.
“You should just disappear forever, Ace added, his tone full of loathing.!!
I sputtered, coughing water from my mouth as I struggled to stay above the surface.
Blood
My blood.
It spread around me like ink in water. The pain hadn’t even registered yet.
All I could hear was the sound of my heart thudding and the boys‘ voices, cruel and loud.
I stared at them, wide–eyed, not even able to cry anymore. My own sons.!!
The sound of the gunshot echoed in my ears again. I didn’t even know where it hit me until I looked down.
My right shoulder. Blood seeped into the water.
I was sinking.
The weight of betrayal was heavier than the bullet!!
This was it. After everything I had endured.
Was this how it would all end?!
Laughter. I could still hear their laughter!!
Then-
“What was that sound?” Gabriel’s voice thundered from somewhere inside the house.”
My eyes, blurry with water and pain, caught the moment he burst into view.!!
His face twisted in shock when he saw me in the pool, sinking… bleeding. and his sons standing there, holding a gun. “What the hell is going on?! Gabriel roared, sprinting toward the pool!
Without hesitation, he dove in
Warm arms pulled me up, and I gasped for air, choking and shaking
Gabriel carried me out of the pool and cradled me on the wet tiles.
“Call 911! Now!” he barked at the boys. “Where did you get that gun?! Why did you shoot her?! Are you insane?!” The twins just folded their arms &
“She deserves it, lan spat.3
“She killed our mom, Ace said coldly. “And now she’s trying to hurt Lily too.”
Gabriel’s eyes widened. “You shot someone because of that? Are you out of your mind?! Go get my phone. Now! They didn’t move.
“Ge. damn it!” he screamed.
They just stared. Unbothered.
I was shivering, the pool water making it worse. My shoulder throbbed. I could barely breathe.
Gabriel grabbed a towel and wrapped it around me, pressing it against my wound.
“Stay calm, it’s just a flesh wound,” he muttered, trying to reassure me. His hands were shaking. He grabbed my phone and dialed 911,
“Yes. Gunshot wound. She’s bleeding. We need an ambulance now,” he said quickly.!!
As he ended the call, the twins rushed back, not with the phone, but with panic on their faces. “Dad” Something’s wrong with Lily!” Ace cried
“She’s screaming in pain!” lan added.X
Gabriel looked from me to them
“Gabriel,” I said weakly, holding onto his arm, “Please don’t leave me
“I’ll be right back,” he said, placing me down on the couch. “Just… stay awake, okay?”
Then he ran &
I watched, dazed and frozen, as Gabriel carried Lily in his arms, rushing her outside like she was the one bleeding.
“She’s not okay! She needs to go to the hospital now!” he yelled as the ambulance arrived.
Lily groaned softly in his arms. The twins clung to her side
Before the door of the ambulance closed, Lily looked at
A smirk. Cold and proud
The boys glanced back too.
Smurking
And then they were gone
11 AM D
And then they were gone.
I sat there, drenched and shivering, Gabriel’s bloodied bandage useless now. The warmth from my body was fading.?
I touched my shoulder. The towel was soaked through.
I had to leave. Now!
Treached for my phone, but even holding it was difficult. My fingers were trembling.
I tried to stand.
My knees buckled.
Just as I was falling-!!
“Ugh!” Stella’s voice rang out as she bumped into me and stumbled back.⠀
I collapsed on the floor beside her, clutching my arm.
“What is wrong with you?” Stella snapped, brushing her dress angrily. “Trying to kill me too? Like you killed my daughter?”
“L. I need help,” I gasped. “Please Stella, I’ve lost so much blood. I don’t think 1–7:
“I couldn’t care less if you bled to death,” she spat.
“Please.” I whispered, holding on to the couch for support.
“You should just go die outside. Do everyone a favor,”
She grabbed.me by my arm and dragged me toward the door, despite my cries of pain X
“No–stop–please!“)
But she didn’t care.
She opened the door and shoved me out into the cold.
“Slay there,” she hissed. “Rot there for all I care.“)
Then she slammed the door.!!
Silence.
The wind was cold. My wat dress clung to my skin. My hands trembled as I lifted the phone. My eyes blurred with tears.
I had one number saved on my emergency contact.
Just one.
I pressed the button.
It rang once ||
Then it connected
Hello?” a voice answered.
“Please.” I choked out. “Save me…”
And then-
Darkness.