Chapter 13
Louis Koo – Brad Chung aka LeoAfter the meeting was over, they walked out of the conference room with a different light. They were respected, thanks to Matt of course. Brad was quickly greeted by Nora again the minute Darwin and Elisa was gone. “Can I talk to you a minute?” Nora asked urgently.
Mia saw Erin turn away. She was tired of the girl trying steal Brad back. She tapped her watched “Sure, you’ve got 50 seconds now.”
Erin shook her head at her friend and she pulled her by the hand “Come on!” she nodded to the others and they respected her decision. Matt turned back at Brad and gave him a nod.
Brad’s eyes lingered on Erin until the elevator doors closed, but she refused to look up at him. He turned to Nora with a sigh “What is it?”
She sensed the annoyance in his voice “If it isn’t convenient…”
He shook his head “No…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound….” He let the words go “What can I do for you?” his lips curled into a warm smile.
“Promise you won’t laugh.” She pointed at him and he nodded solemnly “I think I’m being followed too.”
Brad ruffled his brows “Why do you say that?” he asked while crossing his arms.
“Instincts.” She shrugged her shoulders “I’ve been seeing this woman that seems to show up everywhere I go. But I don’t know who she is. At the same time, she gives me the creeps. I just have a bad feeling.”
Brad trusted her gut and what she said was true. He nodded firmly “Don’t worry about it. After we catch this person, I’ll speak to Matt about your case.”
Nora was beaming “Thank you!” she gushed. Her head slowly tilted to one side “All those years of dating and I had no idea you were interested in this kind of work.”
He laughed comfortably “It’s no big deal. I just started a couple of years ago. It was after the first three years of college. Who would have thought I’d be working for you one day.”
“You have no idea how good it feels to see you again.” Her smile was genuine and it made him smile even bigger. But suddenly it faded when he thought of Erin.
“I have to go.” He announced shortly.
Nora nodded “Of course. I can’t keep you forever.” Her words had a double meaning, but it was obvious after Brad left that he didn’t get it. Nora sighed as she returned to work. Her thoughts wandered to Brad, she never intended to break up with him years ago. But she didn’t know what else to do since her parents made her go to school in the States. She had no choice, it was unfair to hold onto him. But she vowed if they had a second chance, she would treasure it.
Downstairs, the team waited for Brad. Erin stood by the wall where she sat silently. Jessie shook her head sadly, she knew how it felt to be a woman who sees her boyfriend with another girl. She walked over to Erin “How are you holding up?”
Erin looked up with a plastered smile “Good.”
Jessie laughed “You’re a bad liar. And even worse at facial expressions.”
“I guess I’m easy to read.” Erin sighed.
“Not really.” Jessie observed, Erin turned her head up at the girl and she smiled “Sometimes you’re so hard to read that I have to ask Mia. But this time…let’s just say, I know how you feel.”
Erin raised her brows “You mean Doug….” Jessie nodded. “But he adores you. We can all tell.” She insisted in defense for her new respect for the guy.
Jessie let out a sigh as she stood next to Erin. She put her hands in her pockets and leaned against the building “Yeah, I know he does.” Her eyes looked distant staring at the falling sun “Can you do me a favor?”
Erin turned to Jessie “Of course. If I can, I will.” Jessie seemed a bit hesitant to ask her “It can’t be that hard can it?” Erin coaxed gently.
The girl smiled “Promise me you won’t tell Doug.”
“Cross my heart.” Erin made a cross sign on her heart.
“You know how dangerous our jobs are. We can literally die tomorrow.” Jessie began while Erin listened intently “I know that Doug loves me very much. But love makes guys weak. He’ll do anything for me, even if it means losing his life.” Erin nodded while her brows knitted together “If one day, during a mission…I somehow get hurt and you guys have a chance to save yourselves. I want you to run. Doug will want to help me…but you have to take him with you.”
Erin sighed “Why me?”
Jessie smiled “Because you’re strong. You’re so calm and cool when it comes to missions. It’s like nothing can distract you. I know it will put you in an awkward position. But he’ll understand after he reads this.” She pulled out a neatly folded heart made out of paper “It’s my thoughts and final words.”
She slowly took the note from Jessie’s hand with a snicker “What makes you think I won’t die first?”
“Because you’re smart. Why do you think you’ve made it this far?” Jessie asked.
Erin sighed “Because I don’t think about dying.” Jessie looked at her in confusion “If I even start to worry about death, it would easily take over my mind. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate anymore on my work. I know the day will come when I have to say goodbye to this world, but I don’t want to think about when and how the day will come.”
“I just like to prepare myself and others.” Jessie turned her eyes to the setting sun again “My parents are far away and the only closest family I have is Doug. It’s only fair that I think of him first.”
Erin didn’t know what else to say to convince the girl that she would be alright “I will take on this special request, but only because it’s coming from you.”
Jessie grinned happily “Thank you so much!!” she hugged Erin unexpectedly.
Mia saw the girls embrace as she rushed over “Hey…no fair. I wanna join!” she reached out her arms and hugged the girls. The girls giggled together for the moment they were having.
Doug and Darren exchanged glances “Must be that time of the month.” Doug commented causing Darren to laugh out loud.
“Actually to my understanding, girls get that way when there is an emotional moment.” Matt observed wisely.
Darren turned to Matt “Do you have a girlfriend?” Matt shook his head “No wonder you don’t know anything about women.” Doug stifled a laugh and Darren paused long enough to turn and give his friend a high five. A second later, he turned back to Matt “Women are ALWAYS emotional. Whether it be that day of the month or the other 22 days, it’s their excuse of torturing us.”
“You say it with experience.” Matt smiled.
“Did you just meet Mia today?” Darren asked with wide eyes.
Matt nodded with a laugh “You’ve got a point.”
“What point?” Brad asked as he joined his guys.
“Can’t live with women, can’t live without em.” Darren sighed with his head shaking.
The girls rejoined the guys when they spotted Brad “Darren Chiu, are you talking bad about me? My left eye is twitching.” She began blinking uncontrollably on her left eye “Or maybe it’s the after effect of that coffee.” She winked at Erin.
Brad shook his head at Mia “Be nice. The poor girl’s been through enough.”
“Yeah, because making coffee is such stressful work.” Mia nodded unconvincingly.
Erin shook her head at her friend “Gosh, you really can’t shut your mouth for one minute huh?”
Mia was offended as she turned to Erin before getting on the van “Who said? I can too stay quiet for a minute. As a matter of fact, I’ll stay quiet for the whole ride back to headquarters.” She climbed on and took a seat next to Darren.
“You’re on!” Erin exclaimed.
“This should be fun.” Matt laughed when Mia threw him an evil look.
Doug took the driver seat “How about we put in a friendly bet? $25 bucks on Mia talks before we go back to headquarters.”
“I’ll double that!” Brad exclaimed. Mia dropped her jaw but didn’t say a word. He turned to Jessie and Erin “You girls in?”
“I always lose in gambling.” Erin smiled.
“Me too.” Jessie added.
Matt raised a hand “I’m in. $100. bucks!”
Everyone whistled at the gutsy wager. Darren shook his head with a laugh “Of course I have to support my fiance.” Mia nodded at him with a grin “$200. bucks says she doesn’t talk.”
Brad grinned as she looked at Darren “How much for her to talk?”
“$500.” Darren answer causing the guys to explode with laughter.
Mia reached over and began choking him but still, no sound out of her mouth. He was laughing deliriously and suddenly, she stopped. She raised her feet up to the chair and crossed her legs while straightening her back. Concentrating as she let out slow deep breathes. Brad imitated her stance as he asked “Master, have you reached nirvana?”
Doug bursted up with laughter “I’m missing all that?” he asked. Peeking at the rear view mirror as he watched the commotion.
Erin shook her head at the guys but she too was looking Mia to see when she’ll explode. Brad leaned towards Mia as he tried to break her “Tell me Mia, how does it feel to be a woman in a man’s world?”
The guys hissed and oohed at his question while Mia snapped her eyes open. They widened with anger at Brad. Jessie shook her head “You guys are bad.” she commented.
Erin reached over and hit Brad across the back of his head “Play fair.” She warned. Mia was satisfied with her punishment as she opened her mouth and began laughing, but no sound came out.
Brad smoothed out the back of his head as he turned to Erin “No one said there were rules.” A smile came on his face as he turned to Mia “Women can’t do anything that a man can do.” His comment was low and she knew it. Mia opened her mouth and began lipping out words but there was still no sound. Brad cupped his ear “What? I didn’t hear it.”
Darren was cackling with laughter while Mia continued to curse in silence. She turned to Darren and began hailing out words while pointing at him, it only made him laugh harder. When he calmed down, he managed to ask “Speak English…or I mean, doofus language.”
Erin shook her head at the guys “I would translate for you Mia, but I don’t curse that much.” She saw Mia holding her head in pain like it was unbearable. Soon, she was pulling her hair in frustration, but the guys were ruthless, they continued to laugh and tease her. Erin saw Mia about to give up as she quickly said “Don’t Mia! You can do it. We’re almost there.”
But to her dismay, Doug suddenly took his foot off the gas. They were only a mile away, he turned to them sadly “I think we’re out of gas.” the car was rolling at 5mph.
Jessie frowned while looking over at the speedometers “You’ve got a half tank left!” she pointed out.
“Well, my feet is very tired.” Doug said with puppy eyes “Anyone want to switch with me?”
Matt raised his hand “I do! No wait…I’ve got a blister on my toe…can’t.” he looked at Mia apologetically “Sorry.” Her face was burning up as she stared at Erin for help.
Erin turned to Jessie and nodded as she pulled her leg over and stepped it over Doug’s feet on the gas. The van hurled forward as Doug immediately took control of the wheel. Jessie laughed at his scared reaction “Who’s laughing now?”
“I thought you were on my side?” Doug exclaimed while trying to push on the breaks but Jessie’s foot was firmly over the gas pedal.
“Sorry baby, it’s my angels this time.” Jessie said coolly.
Doug frowned “No fair.” He said when they reached the front of the headquarters.
“Life’s tough, suck it up.” Jessie laughed as she pulled her leg away. The team left the van and Mia quickly jumped out.
She pointed at the guys with her red face “You, you….and you….oh…and you!!” She pointed last at Darren “Don’t be expecting any love from me tonight!” she threatened.
“Dude! Mental picture!” Doug pointed to his head again causing everyone to laugh.
Darren gave her his puppy eyes as he reached out for Mia “Aww, come on baby, you know I was just teasing.”
“My ass you were!” Mia cried “How dare you went against me.” She nodded to Erin and Jessie “Come on girls. Let’s go find some REAL men.”
Erin shook her head at Brad and Jessie shrugged at Doug “It’s tempting.” Erin said to the guys.
Matt crossed his arms with a grin “Meeting tomorrow at 12pm. Have fun girls!” The girls cried out happily while skipping down the street. The guys turned to Matt with a look of shock “What?” he asked curtly and then walked away leaving the guys stunned in silence.
Chapter 14
Louis Koo – Brad Chung aka Leo************Auction Night***********
The six arrived dressed in suits. Erin and Mia were in gorgeous gowns provided by Darwin. The cameras flashed at the people and the group tried hard not to be distracted by the lights and attention they got. Brad and Doug stood a few feet away from Darwin and the girls “Stay alert team, that person could be in this crowd as we speak.” He said.
Darren, Matt and Jessie watched from a distance, they had the van set up for controls and cameras coming from Brad and Doug’s suit “Doug, stop turning, you’re giving me a headache.” Darren spoke into the microphone.
“Sorry, I thought I saw someone.” Doug commented. Soon they were inside and seated. Doug and Brad stood behind in the back of the rows of chairs. Darwin and the girls sat closer to the back. It was located in an office building. A huge staged conference room was set up with chairs for the people.
The announcer began to talk about the history of the charity “This was started from my very own great, great grandfather over a century ago. It was in remembrance of his wife who died of diabetes. All the money will go to the research for a cure of diabetes. Without further notice, we’ll start a bidding with this beautifully hand sculpted figure of a woman crying.” He unveiled a covered sculpture and appeared the while clayed design.
Mia flinched “It looks like a blob of clay to me.”
The bidding began with $20,000. and then went as high as $100,000. Darwin especially liked it as he raised his board “$500,000.” He announced.
Mia and Erin turned to him with a surprised look “You’d pay that much for a blob?” Mia asked. “Why didn’t you say so, I could make one for you later, but I’ll just charge you $100.”
Darwin crossed his legs calmly “It’s about the charity, not about the money or the art.”
Erin looked at Mia with raised brows “It is a good cause.”
“I’m a good cause!” Mia exclaimed.
Brad shook his head at the girls “Pisces, concentrate. That person can be sitting right next to you.” He warned.
Mia quickly turned to the woman in a fur coat next to her. She eyed her carefully and the woman looked at Mia strangely until she turned away. She cleared her throat before saying “She’s wearing a fur coat indoors and she has on 10 layers of cover-up. I doubt she can harm anyone. Except if she uses those fake lashes as a weapon.”
Jessie stifled a laugh. Darren shook his head “Ladies and Gentleman, that is my fiancé.”
Darwin ended up winning the bid as they announced for him to walk up the stage “We’d like to have a picture with all the winners. Please, Mr. Wong.” The mc called for him.
He turned over to the girls “I’ll be back.”
Erin quickly stopped him “I don’t think it’s a good idea. How about we go with you?” she suggested.
“Good move.” Matt nodded in agreement.
Darwin shook his head firmly at the girls “I will be okay.”
This time it was Mia that stopped him “Sorry, you hired us to protect you. We have to do it.” She got up and so did Erin as they escorted him up to the stage.
The announcer looked at Darwin strangely “You’ve replaced your wife for two beautiful escorts?” he laughed heartedly while the audience chuckled at the comment.
“I’ll take it as a compliment.” Darwin smiled as he nodded to the girls to stand aside while he took the picture with the sculpture and the announcer.
The minute the girls stepped a few feet from Darwin, the entire floor’s lights were turned off and a shot rung out. Brad looked around “Girls, get Mr. Wong now!”
The three in the van looked at each other when the pictures on their screens blackened “Crap…” Matt cursed. He turned to the two “Go help them now!”
“Yes sir!” Darren and Jessie replied as they rushed out of the van and into the building. The guards gave them a hard time, but they were pushed out of the way.
“Pisces, you see Darwin?” Erin’s voice was urgent.
“No…I can’t see anything.” Mia moaned “I feel like I’m blind.”
Doug felt he was being pushed while everyone began to panic and racing for the elevators “It’s like an angry herd.” He muttered. Suddenly, his eyes caught sight of something shiny. He followed the light and it landed on a shadow holding up a metal object “Is that a gun, Leo?”
Brad looked up and his face paled over “He’s got a gun. Girls, find Darwin now!!” He began pushing his way through the screaming crowd. The person seemed to notice him coming as he raised the gun to the ceiling and shot out a few bullets causing the people to cry out more. The chaos was building up as he got closer to the stage. Suddenly, he tripped over something. He looked up and saw the person walking ever so calmly to the left “He’s getting away!”
Mia and Erin were separated the minute they hit the floors to find Darwin “Guys, I don’t know where I am.” Mia’s voice was scared as she was being pulled from one place to the next. She was cramped between people.
“I’m out in the hallway.” Erin announced. She pulled herself from the building crowd as she tried to find her way around in the dark with little light beaming through from the office windows.
“We’re coming.” Darren and Jessie announced. The elevators were down and they had to take the stairs. By the time they were on the 10th floor, they were both completely out of breath. Darren opened the door as Jessie rushed inside. Suddenly she fell to her knees “You okay?”
She grabbed her side “Just a cramp.” She clenched her teeth in pain “Go on…I’ll meet you there later.” Jessie insisted.
Darren nodded “Be careful.” He rushed towards the loud cries.
Erin looked around hurriedly and then, her eyes caught sight on a person dressed in black. A silver gun in their hands as it pointed directly at her. She turned and dived into an open way while the bullets flew. She rolled a few times before getting up. She was in some sort of office. Erin carefully curled herself under one of the chairs.
She saw the footsteps walking in and then as if the person had an urgent call, he eventually turned and walked out of the office “That was too close.” She breathed.
“Scorpio, are you okay? What happened?” Brad was running in circles around the floor trying find the others.
“He was trying to kill me.” Erin whispered “Be careful guys, I think he knows who we are.”
Mia was standing between the mob, it seemed no one realized the elevators were not working “It’s like a riot!” she proclaimed and when her eyes caught on a silver light, she immediately ducked and a fire was shot. A few people were hit while she crawled her way out of the elevator hallway.
Jessie heard the shots and she grew more worried when Doug has not answered them. She clutched her side and began running towards the sound “Virgo, are you around?”
Doug was still in the same room of the auction and there were still people standing around, looking petrified “I’m still here. How many people with guns?”
“One just shot at me.” Mia announced.
“And one at me.” Erin said.
“So two?” Brad counted. “I saw one earlier in the auction room. He’s gone now.”
“So maybe three?” Darren questioned.
Matt had a bad feeling as he called back his group “Team, retrieve now!”
“But we haven’t found Darwin!” Brad refused “We need to find him.”
Matt shook his head as he banged his fist on the window, he knew Brad was right, but how could he risk taking the chances of his team being killed. They had guns, we didn’t, he thought over and over. Finally, he had to make a decision “Retrieve. This is an order!” he commanded.
Brad closed his eyes “Team…retrieve.” He announced in defeat.
Erin was in one of the offices, when she noticed they all connected to one another. She opened one door and then another “No wonder they can sneak in so easily.” She whispered to herself when the last door opened to the auction room. Suddenly, she felt a gun being pointed to her head.
“Move and I’ll kill you this second.” A low deep voice announced. It was a female, Erin analyzed carefully.
Erin closed her eyes and was about to make a bold move but she suddenly felt the gun move away. Her head turned and found the person wrestling with Jessie. Erin quickly helped as she managed to the control the person’s gun as it was knocked out of the way. Jessie looked up at Erin and suddenly winced in pain “What’s wrong?” Erin asked with concern.
“I don’t know. Could be a muscle pulled.” Jessie clutched her side in pain.
“Go down first. I’ll meet you guys later.” Erin announced. Jessie was about to object when Erin nodded firmly.
“Be careful.” Jessie warned as she got up and rushed towards the exit. Suddenly two shots were fired. They both hit Jessie’s legs. She cried in pain as she fell to her knees.
“Jessie!!” Erin let go of the person as she rushed to help her friend but she stopped when a gun was pointed at her. She closed her eyes when the trigger was pulled back, but to her surprise, Doug came diving in on the person. Erin reacted quickly as she reached out to Jessie. She put an arm around her waist and pulled one of Jessie’s arm around her shoulders “Come on.”
“But Doug…” Jessie was in pain as she tried to pull herself up.
“He’ll be fine.” Erin was more concerned about the girl that was hurt. She was not strong enough to support Jessie’s entire weight. The girls fell to the floor together and Erin pulled Jessie up again.
“No…it’s useless, I can’t make it.” Jessie sighed.
“NO!! I’m not leaving you Jessie!” Erin cried. It was too dark to see the tears staining her eyes.
Jessie pushed Erin away “You want us both to die! Go…what did we talk about?” she reminded her.
Erin shook her head as she tried a last time to pull Jessie to her feet. But how could she ignore the blood that was pouring out of her legs “Come on!! I can’t do this alone!!” Erin cried at Jessie. The girl was giving up.
Jessie’s eyes moved over Erin’s shoulder and suddenly she pushed her violently to the floor and another bullet shot through her chest “Go!” Jessie managed to cry before falling down on the carpent.
Erin turned her back and found the person aiming the gun at her, her heart was pulled as she gave Jessie one last glance and dived herself into one of the offices. She pushed her way through the doors until she was in the auction room again. She saw Doug still struggling with the masked person. Erin ran over to help him as the two were stronger than the person. The person must have been a guy because he was able to push them out of the way and ran the opposite direction.
Doug was about to run after the person when Erin stopped him “Jessie!” She cried. Turning on her heals as she charged out into the hallway, she found Jessie lying there soaked in blood. The girl was barely awake.
“JESSIE!!!” Doug’s blood curdling scream could be heard everywhere.
Brad and the rest were halfway down the stairs when they heard Doug’s cries “I thought they got away?” He turned to Mia and Darren.
The two shook their heads “I thought so too.”
“Virgo, Scorpio…answer me!” Brad cried.
“It think they can’t hear us.” Mia said after there was no answer.
“Let’s go back.” Darren said, the three nodded but was quickly stopped by Matt’s commanding voice.
“No! Listen to me guys. You need to get out of that place. They are targeting you six. I can’t afford to lose you all in one night!!” Matt was frustrated because he had a gut feeling something was wrong with the other three.
Doug ran over to Jessie but Erin knew it wasn’t safe as she held him back “Wait.” She said calmly. Surely enough a person entered the hall from one of the offices. A gun pointed to the floor as it raised slowly to Jessie.
“No!! Let her go!!” Doug cried like a madman while Erin tried desperately to pull him away. There was little moonlight shining through from the office windows. She could see Jessie’s desperate eyes telling her to go. Doug pushed and pulled Erin away but she knew what she had to do.
“You want to see her die?” the person finally spoke up. A shot was fired into Jessie’s arm as she twitched painfully.
“NO!!!” Doug was sobbing as he kneeled down “Please…let her go!!”
Erin fell on her knees next to him “He’s not going to listen to you. Come on!” She rushed.
The guy laughed humorously “Yes, listen to her…save your filthy lives…she’s only a girlfriend…you can always find another.” With that said, he fired another into her body.
Jessie’s eyes slowly closed as she barely had any reaction left, her eyes planted on Erin carefully “Run…” she whispered.
It was her last attempt as she reached around his waist and pulled him. He seemed like a zombie, looking dazed as if he was in another world. He watched her die. Erin pushed through the stair doors as she supported Doug down the steps. She didn’t dare to look back at the sound of the footsteps chasing after them.
Chapter 15
Louis Koo - Brad Chung aka LeoErin and Doug burst through the stair floors as they raced outside. Brad was pacing the floors while Mia and Darren snuggled together. Matt turned his head up when the sirens were wailing in the distance until they grew louder. A group of policemen ran out of the cars. Ted quickly nodded at the team and then back at his own team “You guys split into three groups and check for hurt people and be careful, there are three people with guns there.”
“Yes sir!” they rushed into the building.
Ted quickly caught his eye on Erin’s petite body trying to support Doug. He rushed over to help at the same time Brad and Darren did “Erin! Are you okay?” Brad asked “We lost contact of you three.” Suddenly his brows furrowed “Where’s Jessie?”
Erin wiped the sweat off her forehead as she looked to the ground. At the sound of Jessie’s name, it was like give life back to Doug’s distant eyes. He looked up “Jessie!!” He cried while racing back towards the building.
“Stop him!” Matt ordered.
Brad and Ted were the closest as they held him down while Doug struggled to break free. Suddenly he whipped them to the side “YOU!” He pointed at Erin threateningly “Why?” he asked while his eyes turned red with fury and tears began to erupt “You let her die?”
The team, including Ted turned to Erin in shock “What happened?” Mia muttered “Where’s Jessie?” she grabbed a hold of Erin’s shoulder “Erin?!”
“I always thought you were the most loyal of us all….I was wrong!” Doug snarled harshly at Erin, who continued to look at the ground.
“Just let her explain.” Ted raised a hand to silence the group.
Erin let the silent tears roll down her face as she whipped her head up and wiped it harshly. Brad stepped over to her “Is that true?”
Her eyes turned to him hurtfully “You think it’s my fault….” It wasn’t even a question. She could see the blame in his eyes.
“I don’t know what to think. You’re not saying anything.” Brad said logically.
“I’ll tell you right now.” Doug continued “She watched her teammate being brutally shot to death while she tried to pull me away. I could have saved her!” His teary eyes glared at Erin with a vengeance she’s never seen before.
Suddenly, the glass doors to the building pulled out and stretchers of the victims shot were wheeled out. Doug raced over as he opened one blanket after another. The last one was Jessie. He fell to his knees while the group rushed over “Jessie…” Mia whispered as she turned away from the gruesome body. Darren hugged her naturally while she cried.
Erin stood away from them, she didn’t know how to explain it. How could she? Doug only considered her an enemy at this point “I’m sorry…” she whispered to Jessie.
“It’s okay…I’m here now.” Doug whispered into Jessie’s ear. Her body was getting cold already. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the engagement ring he was going to propose after that mission. Silently, he gulped back the tears and placed the ring over her bloody finger. Mia’s sobs were getting louder as she witnessed the scene. Erin covered her mouth to keep the cries from escaping.
Doug yanked the blanket from her body harshly as he reached his arms under her neck and knees and picked her up with ease. He walked slowly away and some of the cops tried to stop him but Ted quickly shook his head and they backed away. Doug walked by Erin and paused, his eyes never leaving Jessie’s face “I’ll remember this day.” He muttered.
He walked away as Erin turned to face him. She wanted to explain so bad but she knew he was not in the mood to listen to reason. Suddenly she felt a hand touch her shoulder and then whipped her around “Why didn’t you help her?” Brad asked. His eyes too were wet from crying “We’re a team. We’re not suppose to leave each other, we’re suppose to help each other.”
Mia pulled herself away from Darren as she walked over and pushed at Brad “Leave her alone! Don’t you think she’s got enough trauma for one night?”
Darren rushed over as he pulled at Mia’s arm “Stay out of it.” He said wisely.
She turned to him with her tear stained face “No! None of us were present. We don’t know what happened. You can’t blame Erin for everything.”
“I’m not blaming her.” Brad argued as he turned his body to Mia “I just think that if we were there, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Really? So you would have magically dodged the bullets?” Mia asked sarcastically “Or if it hit Jessie, you would magically heal the holes in her body?!”
“Mia…” Darren began “I’m sure Brad didn’t mean it that way. I don’t think we are being very reasonable. If we switched places with Erin, maybe things wouldn’t have ended up like this.”
“So you’re saying Erin’s plan’s a bomb and we girls should have listened to you guys?” Mia argued. She shook her head with a snicker “I can’t believe you guys.”
Ted walked over when he noticed Erin had turned and run away “Stop arguing.” He instructed “Erin’s gone.”
Brad spun around as he chased down the street to find her. But she was no where in sight. Matt walked over to them “Why don’t you guys go home and clean up. Meet me at the hospital. We need to pick up Doug.” He said solemnly.
“But Erin…” Brad turned to the remainder of the team.
Matt shook his head “Give her some time alone. We’ll call her later.”
Ted lingered behind as he stepped towards where Erin had headed off to. Suddenly, he thought about where she could be. He turned to his team “I’ll meet you guys at the station in an hour!” they nodded as he rushed off to his car.
Erin sat on the beach listening to the waves crash. But no matter how soothing the sound of the waves were, she could not get the image of Jessie being shot out of her head. She closed her eyes and leaned her head onto her knees. Her sobs grew louder as she thought more about how she could have saved Jessie. If she would have taken that bullet instead.
He watched her from a distance and slowly walked over behind her “My mother once told me that a person who’s about to die always know that they are going to die.”
She stopped her sobs abruptly and wiped her eyes “Wise words.” She muttered.
Ted nodded with a smile “Indeed they were. I think Jessie knew her time was coming. I didn’t get a chance to get to know her, but if I were in her shoes, I’d do the same thing. Why pull everyone with me if it means sacrificing just myself?”
Erin turned slowly, her eyes swollen from all the crying “I’m glad someone thinks that way.”
“He was just very shocked by the news.” Ted stood up for Brad “It’s a natural reaction from anyone.”
“Anyone…yes. But my boyfriend? No.” Erin stood up “I know he thinks its my fault. Without even listening to my end.”
Ted shook his head as he walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders “Erin, put yourself in his shoes. If it was Brad that pulled Doug away. Would you have felt he was at fault?”
Erin turned her head away “Maybe so, but I would listen to his reasoning before concluding anything. He might as well pin me to a cross and crucify me.” She said harshly.
“What did happen?” Ted asked carefully.
Suddenly, she began to cry again “I could have saved her….Ted….I watched her being shot over and over….But I wasn’t strong enough to carry her. Her legs were bleeding so much.” The tears dripped from her pale face as she explained the situation. “She pushed me out of the way…taking another bullet. WHY?!” Erin cried “I could have saved her…” she moaned while lowering her head. Ted automatically pulled her into his chest as she cried openly.
**************Hospital****************
Her body was put on a new stretcher and put into the cold room. Doug was there with her the whole time. His hands were entwined into Jessie’s lifeless and cold hands. The tears were long gone now, but his heart was still mourning. He looked at every feature on her face, etching it into his soul.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps from the doorway but he refused to look up “She told me to prepare you for this day.” Erin’s soft voice broke into his concentration.
Doug didn’t look up “Get out.” He calmly said.
Erin refused, she had to settle it once and for all “She said you were her only family left, she had to watch out for you.”
“I said GET OUT!!!!” he cried while snapping his head up and glaring at her in the eye.
She ignored the hatred from his eyes. Ted was right, if she didn’t tell him then, he would never forgive her “Doug…listen to me.” Erin started “A few days ago, Jessie approached me and she-”
“SHUT UP!!” he pulled out his pager and hailed it across the room at Erin. She stood still expecting the impact of the device to hit her but it crashed into the wall behind her. She turned back to him and he muttered “Bad aim.”
Erin walked over to him, she would not give up “Jessie said, just in case she were to die during a mission, for me to save you. I don’t know why me…and I don’t know why and how she knew this day was coming. Maybe miracles happen in special ways. Whatever it is I can’t explain it. But you have to listen to me…I would switch my life if it meant saving Jessie’s.” her tears were falling from her face again.
He turned his eyes up at her with a dark emptiness “I don’t care what you say…” he said slowly.
Suddenly, she remembered the letter. She wiped her tears and pulled it out “Jessie gave this to me when we had that talk.” She pulled it out and handed him the heart shape folded note. He didn’t take one look as he hit her hand away and it dropped on the floor.
His eyes moved over to Jessie’s face again and a smile came on his face despite the tears streaming from them now. “Don’t…not now…” Doug said between gulps.
Erin shook her head as she reached down and picked it up “These are her last words to you. How could you not want to hear them?” she sniffed back the tears and opened the note to begin reading it “Doug…my one and only love. How strange God is, to give you life and then take it back unexpectedly. If you are reading this letter, I would have left this world. My world was full of love because of you…there are so many times I wanted to thank you for just being yourself. But then again, I figured you already understood from my smiles or my kiss.” Erin paused to take control of her emotions and after a moment, she continued “But I still wanted you to know how much you mean to me and having you love me all these years? It is the greatest, most priceless gift anyone can ever give me. I know it will be hard, but trust me…time will heal all pain. I’m not asking you to forget me because the Doug I know and love will not forget that easily. I do hope that you will learn to forgive and forget. A life is as short as a sad moment but if you live it happily, the memories will last forever. Eternally, Jessie.” Erin let the letter fall from her hands as she began sobbing again, her hands covering her face painfully.
Doug’s heart lightened at the sound of Jessie’s words. He slowly let go of her hand and walked over to Erin. At that second, he knew she was not to blame, it was Jessie’s last request that she not be saved. Maybe she really saw it coming? Reality returned as he looked down at Erin, her sobs grew when he wrapped his arms around her and began rocking her back and forth.
The team stood there by the door, listening to every word that Erin said when she read the letter. Mia had tears in her eyes as she looked from Darren to Matt and then to Brad. He looked down at the ground shamefully. How could he blame Erin for Jessie’s death? He knew he was guilty of it because he truly believed that Erin would rather save herself and Doug then risk her life to get Jessie out of there.
Mia turned to Brad as she nodded and pushed him inside. He walked over slowly to Erin and Doug. He looked up and saw Brad smiling through glazed eyes. He let go of Erin and slowly turned her over to Brad as he embraced her warmly while her cries slowed down. Doug reached on the ground, picked up the letter and folded it into his pocket.
SIUBINGLIBRARY
