I wanted to scream, RUN! But, I remained silent. Both Abraham and the Keeper had their weapons out. Aiden was trudging his way toward us, probably not knowing there were guns. I hadn’t mentioned it in my texts. There was no way to tell him without alerting the Keeper and Abraham to his presence.
Keeping my eyes trained on the men in front of us, I watched Aiden out of my peripheral vision. He gestured with his hands as he pointed to Matthew. Hope and fear came through me. I didn’t want Aiden to be another bystander in all this. Glancing at Matthew, he gave an imperceptible nod.
The Keeper said, “There are times that sacrifices must be made for the betterment of others. This is unfortunate, but necessary to keep our way of life pure and clean from all evil. Matthew, there was great hope for you.” Abraham had a satisfied gleam in his eyes as the Keeper spoke to us. ”Sarah, your mother came from the world of the doomed. She did not purify her heart which passed on to you. The Light demands your life to purify our home.”
Aiden was about six feet away. He nodded. Matthew pushed me back and yelled, “RUN, SARAH! RUN!”
I took off toward the tall rocks and glanced back. Aiden and Abraham were struggling with each other. The Keeper had the gun pointed at Matthew as he moved from side to side trying to pick a moment to attack. I could hear Matthew’s voice, but couldn’t make out the words.
There was no way I could leave them alone like this. I stopped and turned. Running back to them, Matthew lunged for the Keeper.
A shot fired.
BANG!
Abraham lost his balance as the dirt gave way. He attempted to grab Aiden.
I screamed, “Aiden!”
Missing, Abraham fell back into the ravine, yelling a death-curdling scream on the way down. Sickening crunches echoed through the area. Off balance, Aiden stumbled slightly backward, flailing his arms as he tried to grab anything. I screamed again, trying to get to him. I was still too far away to reach him. Aiden grabbed hold of a tree to keep from falling down. Heaving a sigh of relief, Aiden pulled himself back up. Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I got closer.
There was so much happening that it felt like I was in slow motion. Another shot fired, bringing my attention back to Matthew.
BANG!
The Keeper stumbled backward. Finishing the job, Matthew pushed the Keeper off the side as Aiden gained solid footing. Matthew turned back my way and his eyes landed on mine.
“Are you okay?”
I made it to him. “Yes, Matthew. We’re alive.” I glanced at Aiden and was about to run to him when Matthew slumped to the ground. Kneeling in front of him, I looked him in the eye. His gaze was unfocused.
“Matthew! What’s wrong?”
“Kenzie . . .” His voice was softer.
I searched his body. Matthew wasn’t acting right. Laying him in my lap he grunted. Panic seized me. A dark crimson showed at his abdomen. This was bad. “Matthew, you’re shot! We’ll get you help! Aiden call 9–1-1!”
Matthew couldn’t leave me! I couldn’t lose Matthew, too. Please. Please. Please save him.
Matthew coughed and his blue eyes opened to look at me. “Sarah, it’s okay. You’re safe. That’s what matters.”
He was getting weaker. There wasn’t much time. “Aiden!”
“Kenzie, I’m trying.”
With my free hand, I applied pressure to the wound to try and stop the bleeding. “Matthew, you’re going to be okay. It’s going to be okay.”
Please don’t take him. Take me instead.
A look of peace passed over Matthew’s face. “I’ve loved you . . . my whole life. I wish I’d been able to tell you before you left The Society.”
“I love you, too.” My heart splintered as pain ripped through my chest. A life with Matthew flashed before my eyes. We would have been happy together.
“I’ve always wanted to hear you say that. I was going to ask you to marry me in the woods the day after you left.” Matthew closed his eyes.
His confession was a knife to the heart. I screamed as tears streaked my face, “You can’t go, Matthew! Please don’t go! Be strong! Aiden is calling for help!” I felt desperate as I tried to think of anything th
at could save my friend.