Chapter 6 —
The sound of the gunshot didn't feel real.It echoed through the hallway like something distant… like I was hearing it underwater.
For a second, I couldn't feel anything.Not my body.Not even my breath.
Then sharp and burning pain follows,It spread through my side like fire tearing through flesh.
I staggered.My vision blurred.
I heard Lena scream my name, but it sounded far away… like she was standing miles from me.
"Dennis!"My knees hit the ground hard.The world tilted.Everything spun.I tried to breathe, but it felt like my lungs were collapsing.Had he…?Did he shoot me?
My hand moved slowly to my side.
It was warm,wet,and it was lot of blood,My chest tightened.So this is how it ends?.No, no, no.Not like this,Not now,Not when I just found her."Dennis, stay with me!"
Lena's voice broke through the haze.She dropped beside me, her hands trembling as she pressed against my wound.I winced.
Pain shot through me again.
"It's okay…" I tried to say, but my voice came out weak."It's not okay!" she cried. "You're bleeding!"Her hands were shaking badly now.Her eyes wide with panic.Tears streaming down her face.And all I could think was—Don't cry.Not because of me.I forced a small smile."I've had worse," I muttered.It was a lie,But I needed her to stay calm.An unhurried,slow footsteps was coming closer,my eyes shifted.
He was still there.Standing a few steps away.Gun still in his hand watching us like this was just another normal day for him.
"You shouldn't have done that," he said calmly.My jaw tightened despite the pain."Still… not moving," I managed to say.
He tilted his head slightly.Almost amused."You're stubborn."
Lena looked up at him, anger flashing through her fear.
"Stop this!" she cried. "You've done enough!"He ignored her.
His eyes stayed on me."You took a bullet for her," he said. "That's rare."I forced a breath."Go to hell."He smiled faintly."I've been there."
My vision blurred again.Dark spots creeping in.I was losing too much blood.I knew it.And he knew it too.He stepped closer.
Lena instinctively moved in front of me, shielding me with her body.
"Don't come closer!" she shouted.
Her voice trembled…But she didn't move.And that did something to me.Even in this state—I felt it.She cared.
Maybe she didn't realize it yet.but she did.
"Move, Lena," he said calmly.
"No."Don't make this harder."
"You already did," she snapped.
There was silence and a heavy tense.then he sighed softly.
"You really don't understand, do you?"Her hands clenched.
"Understand what"That this ends one way."My heart pounded weakly.Something was wrong.
"What do you want?" she asked.
He looked at her and for the first time—There was something else in his eyes.not anger or calm.but something darker,something personal."You," he said.My chest tightened."No," Lena whispered."Yes."Her voice shook. "I'm not going back."You don't have a choice.""I do!""You don't," he repeated.
I tried to push myself up.
Pain exploded through my side.
I groaned.Lena turned instantly. "Don't move! "I'm not… done yet," I muttered.
But my body wasn't listening anymore.everything felt heavy,
Slow and distant.Then—Sirens.Faint at first.
Then louder and getting closer.
He heard it too.His eyes flickered slightly.
"Looks like time's up," he said.
Relief flooded Lena's face.
But mine didn't because something about his tone…Didn't sound defeated.It sounded planned.He stepped back slowly,Lowering the gun.But his eyes never left Lena."This isn't over," he said."It is," she replied, her voice shaking but firm.he smiled again.
That same cold smile."No," he said quietly. "This is just the beginning."My chest tightened.something was coming.I could feel it.He turned to leave.Then stopped.
Looked back at her."One last thing," he said.
She didn't respond.but her body tensed.he glanced at me briefly.Then back at her."You should tell him the truth."My heart skipped.
What truth?Lena's face went pale instantly."Don't—" she started.
But he cut her off."Tell him what really happened that night."
My mind raced.What was he talking about?I looked at her.
"Lena…?"She shook her head quickly."Don't listen to him."
But he was still smiling.Still watching.Like he was waiting for something to break.
Then he said it.calm,clear and deadly."You didn't just watch someone fall…"My heart stopped.
Lena froze."You pushed him."
Everything went silent.completely silent.my ears rang.my mind went blank.No.That… couldn't be true.
I looked at her.slowly.My chest tightening with every second.
"Lena…" I whispered.Her lips trembled.Her eyes filled with tears again.But this time—They weren't just scared.They were guilty.
"I didn't mean to…" she whispered.and just like that—Everything changed.The girl I thought I knew…The girl I was falling for…Might not be who I believed she was.The sirens grew louder.voices echoed in the distance.People were coming.But none of that mattered anymore.Because in that moment—I didn't know who she was.and worse—I didn't know if I could still trust her.My vision darkened again.The pain fading.Everything fading.The last thing I saw…Was her face.Tears falling.
"Dennis, please… don't leave me…"And the last thing I thought before everything went black—was one terrifying question.
Did I fall in love with the wrong girl?