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THE STALKER

“ J agger !” Maddie screams seconds before the Ice Queen fires my gun, the bullet intended for me. Her small body slams against my back before she bounces off. I spin around, seeing her lying motionless on the floor.

“ Nooooooo ,” I scream, terror coursing through me. My heartbeat thrashes in my ears, my pulse racing like a horse galloping inside my ears.

Gunfire erupts around me, but I pay no attention to it, singularly focused on her. Crawling to her motionless body, I grab her, flipping her over so I can see her face and examine her wound. Tears stream down my face, agony and anguish washing over me. “Baby girl. Oh, fuck.” Her shirt is crimson, the metallic scent of copper in the air. I’m tugging at her shirt, trying to find where she was hit, tears streaming down my face.

“Jagger,” Her voice is weak, her face contorted from pain. “I love you.”

“No, baby girl.” I gather her in my arms, my tears dripping onto her face. “Don’t say goodbye to me. Stay with me, dammit .”

Her eyelashes flutter, her face so pale. “I’m sorry.”

“Dammit, baby birl. Don’t be sorry. Stay with me.” Leaning down, I kiss her face. “You and me. We’re forever. You can’t fucking leave me.” My voice cracks and breaks, just like the pieces of my heart.

“Tell me…” she rasps. “You… love… me.”

I’m sobbing so hard that my entire body shakes as I press my lips to her face, the coldness of her skin chilling my lips. “I love you so fucking much, baby girl. I’ve loved you since I was nine fucking years old. You’re it for me. The only one I’ve ever loved. Don’t fucking leave me. Please… don’t fucking leave me.”

“I’ll… always… be… with… you.” Then her eyes closed. “Please, stay strong. Live .”

I scream, howling as the pain engulfs me, splintering my soul. “No…” I bury my face in her hair. “Please, Maddie. Don’t leave me.” Tears pour down my face like a gushing river. Soaking my skin. Falling into her hair. “I can’t let you go. I can’t live without you.”

My monster howls with me as I rock her back and forth, sobbing fifteen years worth of tears as the image of a five-year-old pumpkin, her bright honey eyes looking at me with adoration, her tiny voice reverently calling me her dark hero at the Falls Creek Park. She breathed life and hope into me that day.

I’ve always been the villain, but to her, I am her hero.

Lifting my head, I stare down at her lifeless face. Damn it, Maddie. We were destined to be together.

You can’t fucking leave me.

I won’t let you. You’re mine. You’ve always been mine.

My head lowers to hers, my loud hysterical sobs filling the room. I’ve never cried so hard or felt so much anguish and despair as I rock her in my arms.

“Jagger,” Jason’s voice is in my ears. It takes me a few beats but I finally lift my head, unable to see him through my watery, gritty eyes. He reaches his hand out, wiping the tears from my face, knowing I’m not going to let go of her.

I can’t.

I blink a few times and can finally see him. “Ryan is here. He’s dispatched a chopper. They’ll fly her…”

My head turns, finding Ryan. My jaw clenches, my expression fierce as I say, “I’m going with her.”

“Jagger—”

“ I’m going with her. I’m not fucking leaving her .” Spittle flies from my mouth as I glare at him.

He holds up his hands in surrender. “I’ll make sure of it.” Taking a step closer, his gaze drops to Maddie, tears rolling down his face. “Come on, Maddie. Fight. You’re not ready to go be with your dad yet.” Gingerly squatting down, he looks at me as I shift her closer, not wanting anyone else to touch her.

“She got shot because of me.” Bitterness makes my jaw ache. “I’m responsible for this.”

“No,” Jason barks. “The Ice Queen is responsible for this. She was going to shoot you. I pulled my gun. I would’ve shot her before she shot you, but Maddie…” a sob bursts from his lips. “S-She s-sacrificed h-h-herself.”

Tears stream down my face again and I collapse, my forehead against hers, giving in to my grief.

I can’t do this without you, baby girl.

If you die, so do I.