Now I know my time is even more limited. I could run out with Maddie, but I can’t do that. I, instead, run towards Erin and lift her limp body up off of the ground. Her weight falls into me as I try not to stumble backwards. She stirs a bit, her head twisting back towards her shoulders and into me. I hear her whisper something. Maybe it’s “Help” or “Look.” But her lips are too dry, her voice too weak, and I don’t have time to try to make it out. All I can focus on is getting her to that window before the man upstairs comes for me next.
I pull her body up towards the window and then manage to hoist her a bit above my head. It’s just enough for me to hitch her upper half on the ground outside and then push her legs through. As I throw her last leg out, I hear the sound of the man rushing down the stairs in a loud clamor. He turns the corner and spots his man instantly.
He then turns to see me reaching to grab hold of something outside for support. But I’m coming up with twigs and dirt. I jump one more time, desperate for help. I scream out, but the man pulls me back down towards the ground, my head hitting the cement floor with a stinging bang. I’m paralyzed as I watch him look around the room for the other two. He screams out in a rage when he realizes his worst fears.
The man turns his attention back to me. His black hood pulled over his head paints shadows over his tan, withered face, but I can still make out the tattoos on his body as he lifts his fist towards me. I roll just out of miss and shoot my hand up, catching his chest as he tries to fall on top of me. With all of my might, I push him off as he tumbles into the body of his fellow Coyote.
I leap up, using the wall for support. The metal pole rolls towards me, and I have just seconds to pick it up before he comes running at me again. This time, he gets me by the waist, but my hand is free to smack his back with the metal rod as hard as I can. He stumbles back, taking me with him again as we freefall into the floor. My legs hitch around his as I land another hit to his head, this time managing to cut and bruise his eye. It shuts on itself almost instantly, blinding him.
I know this is my chance to run, and I don’t miss a beat. I take the pole and hurry back up towards the window. This time, I grab onto Erin’s leg and yank myself out. My body scrapes against the glass of the window, ripping into my outfit and skin. But I don’t scream or cry, I just move. All I can do is move, and I don’t have much time to do even that.
There’s a click and a loud shot. The man’s gun goes off, missing me by mere inches. My ears ring as I try not to panic. But he fires again; this time the bullet flies through the opening of the window, grazing my shoulder. I spring back from the force, falling towards Erin. I can feel the warm, red goo runs from my arm as I scream this time, hoping someone, anyone, will hear me.
“Get back here, you little bitch!” the man is calling as he fires off a third shot. Through the opening in the window, I see him spot me as he grins. Despite his bad eye, he knows he can hit either Erin or I with one, easily made shot. I stammer back, pulling Erin with me. My hands grasp onto the grass and ground, desperately trying to move out of the way of the window.
I hit something hard with my back and head, falling towards the side. The object vibrates as it screams out, “Don’t you fucking move, Addison! We’ve got this entire place surrounded.”
I look up behind me to see Cal and two men from the Mustangs standing completely still and strong on the lawn outside of what looks like a repair shop. Cal’s small black handgun is pointed into the window. I cry out towards him sobbing as he steps in front of me and uses his body to shield Erin and I.
He repeats his order towards Addison again, but he doesn’t budge. Cal shouts, “We’ve got your clubhouse, your warehouse, and now you. Mountain’s already surrendered. Are you going to let this go on so we have to kill you, or are you planning on coming out nice and quiet?”
There’s a long pause, neither man saying a word. I try not to even breathe. But then I hear the small clamor of a gun falling to the ground. The man next to Cal runs straight towards the window, his gun still held in the air. I watch as he pulls the man out and uses ties to bind his arms behind his back.
When the man is safely secured, Cal turns around, still on his knees. He looks at me, studying my body covered in dirt, blood, and cuts. But he doesn’t care. His hands move around the bruises of my face and head, gingerly touching each and every one of them. And then, his mouth barely open, he whispers, “You’re alive. You’re alive. You’re alive.”
I try to reply, but all I can exclaim softly is “Cal!”
He pulls me into his arms, cradling me towards his chest as he leans down and kisses me. Every bit of pain and sorrow I am feeling melts away in one perfect moment when our lips meet. I’m here. He’s here. And we’re together. Finally together.
Chapter 33: The Rush
CAL