Page 122 of The Boy I Loved

“You see that clearing up there?” Tristan asked, pointing up ahead. I squinted hard, attempting to make it out. When I nodded, he blew out a breath. “Head that direction. Once you reach it, keep walking straight. There will be a road. Follow the road all the way to the gas station. It’s open twenty-four hours. You can call someone to come get you.”

I paused, unease threading through my stomach. “You’re not coming with me?” As much as I loathed Tristan, I was even more terrified of being left out here in the dark all alone and defenseless.

“I’m smarter than that, Hazel. The first chance you get, you’ll run to the cops.” He moved away from me and held out his gun. “If it’ll make you feel any better, you can take this.”

Surprise sparked within me as I slowly wrapped my fingers around the metal. I had no idea how to work this thing. I assumed the safety was off since he hadn’t fucked with it since shooting Clay.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

He didn’t reply, only looked at me for what felt like an eternity. I couldn’t see him well, but I could feel the heat of his gaze soaring through me.

Blowing out a breath, I took a careful step toward him, closing the distance between us. My hand curled around the handle of the weapon, and once I was sure we were close enough, I lifted, pointed, and pulled the trigger, hoping it hit its target. The gunshot was so loud I feared someone would hear it. To my complete and utter relief, Tristan’s gasp punctured the air and his body crumpled to the ground. Kneeling, I felt along his body. He was still breathing, but it was pained and erratic. I knew someone like him would keep cash on him. Slipping my hand into the pocket of his jeans, I tugged his wallet free. As expected, the thing was loaded with money. I swiped all of it, leaving his cards and identification alone.

Afterwards, I didn’t waste any time. I ran like my life depended on it, because it very much did.

I hurried into the clearing and kept going like Tristan had suggested. Right on the other side was a long road that seemed to go on for miles and miles. I made sure to stick to the shadows, not wanting to be spotted in case someone had followed us to finish the job.

Headlights beamed ahead, my heart thudding rapidly in my chest. But the car didn’t slow down, nor did they give any indication that they’d seen me. I blew out a breath of relief, thanking the stars for this one act of kindness.

The store was right where Tristan had told me it would be, lights shining down over the parking lot. My gaze slid to the sign that read ‘Oakley’s Corner Store.’ I wracked my brain, trying to think of where I’d heard the name before but came up blank.

All I knew for certain was that I was finally free.