“You’re ok,” I rasp, feeling tears slide down my cheeks. He’s got blood pouring from his mouth, and his body is jerking. His legs, they are covered in blood. “Granger, you’re ok.”
He’s looking at me, his eyes wide and frantic as he chokes on his own blood. I tear at my shirt, using the material to press against his chest. Tears thunder down my cheeks, and I shake violently. “You’re going to be ok, do you hear me?”
He reaches up, wrapping a hand around my wrist. I blink away my tears, as he holds my eyes for a moment. His eyes are pleading. I don’t know if they’re pleading with me to save him, or the guys, or if he’s just saying goodbye. But it hurts, it fucking hurts so bad.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I croak, swiping a bloody piece of hair from his face. “Don’t...you’re going to be ok...”
His hand tightens around my wrist, and a bloody tear leaks from his eyes.
“Don’t...” I sob. “Granger, you’re going to be just fine.”
He chokes and splutters, and then his eyes roll and his body begins to convulse harder.
“Granger!” I cry. “No, open your eyes.”
His body stops convulsing suddenly, and as if in slow motion, I watch as he stops breathing with a gurgled rasp. Just like that. His entire life is over. I hiccup loudly, covering my mouth to stop the noise. I can’t see through my blurred tears. “I’m so sorry, Granger. So sorry.”
I get to my knees, my entire body shaking, and I turn towards the trees. I don’t have long. I have to be strong. I can mourn once I’ve saved the guys. I hold the gun tightly in my hand, and I hurry forward. I know the cliff Hogan is talking about. I rush through the trees, swiping at my tears. When I reach the cliff, I peer through the trees to see Hogan has the guys lined up right on the edge. This is my moment, this is the only chance I have...I lift my gun and cock it.
Hogan turns.
He heard me.
His eyes fall on mine, and he throws his head back and laughs.
He. Laughs.
“I knew you were around here somewhere, my no good daughter. Come to watch them die? You know this is your fault, right? You’re the reason they are here.”
My hands shake, and I hold the gun up higher, stepping out of the trees.
“Oh, put that down,” he laughs. “You’re a fuckin’ useless bitch, you ain’t got the fuckin’ guts to use that on me.”
“I’ve dreamt of this moment my entire life,” I yell. “I want to see you suffer.”
He throws his head back, laughing, and bellows up at the sky. “You pathetic idiot!”
I get a split second while he’s throwing his head around laughing, to see Jackson and the guys. Jackson goes to step forward; he has a massive rock in his hand. I shake my head frantically, and he stops. I swing my eyes to the cliff and as if understanding what I need, he and the guys slowly begin stepping to the side to make a big gap directly behind where Hogan is standing. The gap where I’ll send him over. Once and for all.
My anger bubbles up inside me, and I swing my eyes back to Hogan just as he drops his head and pins me with his gaze. “You killed my friend; I will kill you for that.”
“Oh, I dare you, and make it a good hit, because when I get hold of you, I’m going to fucking gut you.”
“Oh,” I laugh, even though it’s empty. “I’ll make it count.”
I pull the trigger, hitting him in the shoulder. There’s a reason for my move, the cliff is right behind him, and I want to watch him suffer. Hogan stumbles backwards, roaring in pain. He manages to lift his machine gun, and a hoarse, pained laugh leaves his throat. “You didn’t make it count, now you die you fuckin’ whore.” He takes a step back, and in slow motion, he slips. He manages to grip the side of the cliff, his fingers holding on tightly. His screams fill the air.
Slowly, my entire body numb, I walk over and peer down. He’s holding on, and for the first time in my life, his eyes are scared. A flash of something goes through me, but I quickly realize what it is. It’s the flash of recognition that he’s my father, and even though I can’t stand him, it’s me accepting that and moving on from it. I peer down into my father’s eyes, and I aim the gun down, right at the middle of his head.
“You wouldn’t do it,” he rasps. “Kill your own father.”
“You’re not my father,” I scream. “You’re nothing but a useless piece of shit that ruined my life. I told you I’d make you pay, and you didn’t believe me, but you should have. You know why, FATHER? Because I am a part of you, and you always get what you want, well...so do I. Did you really think I wouldn’t figure this out, and find a way to end you? I hope you rot slowly in hell, I hope you suffer every minute, of every hour, and I hope you never EVER rest in peace. Good riddance.”
“Seren...”
I pull the trigger. The shot sounds out, and the force throws me backwards. I crash onto the ground, my head slamming back into the dirt. I cry out in pain, but I don’t move, I can’t move. I just lay, staring at the sky, my body completely numb. Jackson is the first person by my side, scooping me up into his arms, his hands frantically roaming over my body.
“Baby, fuck, baby...”
I say nothing.
I just killed my own father.
I stare up at the sky, my body flopping.
“Serenity!” Jackson yells, shaking me. “Talk to me. Baby, talk to me.”