Page 144 of The Oath We Give

“Just put the gun— “

“You took everything from me.” He grumbles, greasy blonde hair catching the wind, dead blue eyes showing zero signs of life, “You took Sage.” He swings the gun in her direction.

“You took my last name.” He shifts his weapon to Alistair.

“You’ve taken my revenge.”

It's then, that his gaze and aim locks on me. He inhales deeply. Tilting his head letting the moon shine across the tears on his face. My hand reaches for my gun at my back, and the sound of shuffling feet thud behind me.

“And now, I’m gonna take something from you.”

Sometimes, no matter how badly we want to change the ending, we can’t.

Sometimes, the end is just the end.

The familiar sound of a trigger being pulled rumbles through the woods.

While physical impossible, time slows just enough for me to hear the tiny explosion inside the weapon. The gas expanded and forcing the bullet down the barrel.

It's funny how time works.

How it slows when you least it expect it. Giving you the chance to let every movement of a single moment sink into your skin. Giving you the chance to remember every second that drips down the hourglass.

"Fucking catch him!"

"B, call for help."

A distance ringing rattles my ear drum, a daze in my mind and blazing sensation in my chest.

I look down, placing a hand over my white button down, only to find crimson painting the palm of my hand when I pull back.

"Fuck."

The ground sorta gives out beneath me, like I'm standing on a waterbed barely filled. My knees buckle under me, no longer willing to hold my weight and rush of air fills my head.

Arms wrap around me just as I feel the cool earth beneath my back. The smell of lavender and honey mixed with gunpowder. It makes me nauseas, smelling her with something so violent attached.

"Silas. No, no. You're okay. It's okay."

"Fuck, Coraline, he's bleeding. He's bleeding."

"Thatcher, give me your god damn jacket!"

Arms and handles scramble above me. Just past the frantic limbs, the Ponderosa Pine trees are parted just enough for me to see the night sky. Most people don't know the Oregon coast is the best place to see the Milky Way. No light interference to dim the shine of stars.

There is chaos in my ears, but there is no panic in me.

"Hey, look at me, please."

My eyes flutter, looking upwards. Coraline's hair is draped across her shoulders, hanging down in my face. I can feel the heat from her lap as she holds me to her stomach.

"You're so warm, baby." Trying to chase her touch, her smell, her. "Can you feel how fucking cold I am?"

"Silas, keep your eyes open for me. There you go, just keep looking at me, baby." She gazes down at me, heavy tears dripping from her face and onto me. Her smooth hands cradle my head, running along the contours of my face.

There is fear in her tone, panic I can't console because everything is so numb. I can barely feel my fingers, barely feel my hand lifting to shakily a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Could look at you forever, Hex." I whisper, the words sting in my chest.