His eyes darted toward Mandy, as if he'd forgotten she was there. Slowly, he moved. Each step nearer to her than the last. Finally, as he stood right in front of her he grabbed a handful of her hair and forced her to stand up. Tears spilled from her eyes.
“Please don't.” She begged. Ignoring her pleas he threw her onto the bed. He turned, facing me.
“I tried, Emma. I tried to be good in prison. Out here I can’t handle it.” His voice cracked, as he positioned the gun under Mandy’s chin. Her eyes were filled with terror, silently begging me to help her. “I need to go back.” We both turned toward the door as it burst open with a bang. Police swarmed inside the small cabin.
“Get away from the girl.” A gun aimed directly at Derek's head failed to deter him. He simply laughed.
“You think I care if you shoot me? You think I care?” His voice was challenging. He clicked over the gun, ready to fire. I watched in horror as Mandy squeezed her eyes shut and swallowed. The sound of gunshots pierced my ears as I fell to the floor in a heap, my hands over my ears. I couldn’t look up.
“Are you hurt?” My eyes cracked open ever so slightly. A kind looking policewoman was gently placing a blanket around my shoulders. I shook my head. Derek lay dead in the corner, a pool of blood forming around his abdomen.
“I think I'm okay.” I struggled to control my breathing. I wasn't okay. My heart was racing and the room was spinning. But I was alive. I had faced my fears and lived.
“Come on, you need oxygen.” She led me outside, squeezing me closer as we passed Derek’s body. An ambulance officer placed a mask over my mouth and guided me back onto a stretcher.
“Emma?” Simon! I struggled to sit up, his hand pressed down gently on my shoulder.
“Stay there baby. You need to rest. I'm here, I'm not going anywhere.” Tears welled in the corners of his eyes, threatening to make their escape.
“Why are you crying?” I asked, reaching over to touch his tears. I wiped them away.
“I'm just so happy you're okay. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to you.” He hesitated. “When I saw you had been trying to reach me, I was so worried. And then Gary-”
“Gary!” I panicked, the memory of his lifeless body filling my mind. Simon shook his head.
“He didn't make it.” He looked at me sadly. I thought about his wife. And his daughters. Simon enclosed his hand in mine.
“I love you so much.” He said, his voice breaking.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Hey you.” Simon leaned across the bed and kissed my lips softly. “Any idea on when you can get out of here? I want you back at my place. No arguments.”
“I wasn't planning on arguing actually.” I said honestly. “I was hoping you'd offer.” Simon raised his eyebrows and smiled down at me. He shook his head in amazement.
“You are always welcome. Any time. All the time even.” I couldn't tell from his expression what that meant. Had he just asked me to move in with him? Surprisingly, I liked that idea.
“Hi Em.” I glanced around Simon to see Cass and Tom walking into the room. Strangely, I’d had more visitors here in hospital than I’d had the entire past year at home. The biggest shock of all was when my father walked into my room. It had taken almost losing me again for him to realise that he couldn’t just shut me out.
“I’m so sorry Em. For not being the father you deserved.” He’d said, crying in the chair next to the bed. “I just want you to know, I’m seeing someone.” What? My face dropped. His eyes widened as he realised what I thought he meant. “No, no Em. I wouldn’t do that to your mother. A psychiatrist. I meant a psychiatrist.” I began to laugh, relieved that he hadn’t come in here to confess his infidelities.
“Em, I’m going to fix our relationship. I promise you that. I am so sorry I didn’t let Maria into your life. I wanted to protect you so badly.” Then he’d left. In all, he’d stayed with me for all of five minutes, yet it was the most time I’d spent with him all year.
“Hey guys.” I struggled to sit up to make room for Cass to sit. My whole body ached. I tried to ignore the pain that was writhing through my body. I was so happy to see them. And together? I raised my eyebrows at Cass. She blushed slightly.
“Hey Simon, can you get me a water? And maybe take Tom with you?” He nodded, taking the hint.
“So?” I asked once we were alone. Cass bit her lip, unsuccessfully trying to hide her smile.
“Well, we are together. I think.” I squealed and did a little bed dance. Ouch. Ow, ow, ow! I grimaced in pain. Bed dances were a bad idea. I turned back to Cass and squealed again. Cass blushed an even deeper shade of red.
“You are such an idiot. We have only been out a couple of times. I'm not even sure what it is yet.” I shrugged her protests off.
“You two are meant for each other. Like Simon and me.” I paused, thinking about his earlier comment. “I think he asked me to move in.” Now it was Cass's turn to squeal.
“Oh Em, I'm so happy for you.” She hugged me and kissed my cheek. I was happy too. The happiest I'd ever been.
“What have we missed?” The boys wandered back in, Simon carrying a jug of iced water. He poured me a glass which I took gratefully. I was so thirsty.