Chapter 5

Gianni POV

My tranquility was abruptly shattered when a sudden barrage of gunshots echoed through the night. Instinctively, I stopped in my tracks, my heart pounding in my chest.

I swiftly removed the headset from my ears, wanting to confirm that what I had heard was indeed gunfire. The sounds intensified, and Fear and adrenaline coursed through my veins.

My instincts kicked in, urging me to find a safe place and I quickly scanned my surroundings, searching for any signs of shelter.

As I sought refuge from the chaos outside, I hurriedly entered an uncompleted building nearby, seeking shelter and safety. Unknowingly to me, this building was the location where the shooting was taking place.

I pressed myself against the wall, my back flat against the cold surface, desperately trying to steady my trembling body. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, trickling down my face as fear gripped me.

My heart raced in my chest, threatening to give away my presence with its erratic beats. I focused on regulating my breathing, I was scared, will my life end like this?

Minutes felt like years being stuck in here, I strained my ears, trying to gather any clues about the situation unfolding outside. Whispers of voices, muffled footsteps, and gunshots reached my ears, creating fear within me.

I heard a very loud sound near me, my instincts urged me to turn slightly, and what I witnessed left me breathless.

I stood frozen behind the pillar, my eyes wide with disbelief as I witnessed one of the godfathers I had served the day I lost my job fall to the ground after being shot.

Blood stained the pavement around him, I gasped as my hand instinctively covered my mouth in shock as disbelief washed over me.

With trembling hands and racing thoughts, I cautiously approached his motionless body. I knelt beside him, carefully assessing his condition. Miraculously, I realized that he was still alive, albeit in critical condition.

A part of me wanted to run away and leave him here but I knew I had to get him to safety as a medical student.

I dialed the first person number that came to my head at the moment, and it rang after sometime directed me to voicemail.

"Louis, I know you are busy right now but please I need your help, it's very urgent," I said, my breath still shaking.

As I awaited a response from Louis, every passing second felt like an eternity. I knew I couldn't afford to waste any more time. I took a deep breath, As I hoisted Adrian's unconscious body onto my shoulder, I could feel the weight pressing down on me.

I wanted to take him to the hospital but decided to take matters into my own hands and bring Adrian to my apartment. It was the closest and safest location I could think of at that moment.

As I stepped outside, the hoodie Louis had given me earlier became my ally, concealing the gunshot wound on Adrian's body.

I carefully draped it over him, making sure to cover the bloodstains. To further disguise our appearance, I placed my cap on his head, shielding his face from prying eyes.

I reached for my phone and ordered a cab. Every passing second felt crucial, and I anxiously awaited the arrival of our ride to whisk us away to safety.

Finally, the cab pulled up in front of us, its headlights casting a warm glow on the darkened street. With a surge of relief, I helped him into the backseat, ensuring he was as comfortable as possible given the circumstances. I slid in beside him.

The driver gave me a questioning glance, but I maintained a calm facade, not wanting to raise any suspicion.

"To the location written on my destination, he is my husband, he is just a drunk, silly man always stressing his wife," I forced a smile, my voice steady despite the turmoil within.

The driver nodded, his eyes briefly flickering with curiosity, but he remained silent as he started the engine and we pulled away from the scene.

During the ride, my mind was consumed with a mix of fear and worry. I constantly checked his pulse, his breaths, and the makeshift dressing I had applied and I was worried about blood getting on the seat.

"Is your husband okay?" The cab driver asked, looking through the inner mirror.

"Why?" I asked, trying to hide my fear as I arranged the cap again covering his face.

"It's just that you have been checking on him since you entered the car." The driver said, looking at me with suspicious eyes through the car mirror.

"Oh, okay, he is drunk that's why I keep checking up on him so he won't throw up" I faked a smile at the driver.

"Okay," The driver nodded his head, obviously not believing me.

I paid the fare. "Let me help you with your husband," the cab driver offered.

"No, I can do it myself," I rejected his offer, my body shaking with fear, sweat at the brink of my forehead.

"Okay, ma'am if you say so," I helped Adrian out of the cab, careful not to draw attention to his condition.

As we got inside my apartment, I gently laid him down on my couch, doing my best to make him as comfortable as possible.

"Sister, who is he?" Arabella asked as she came out of her room.

"Arabella, please not now," I said firmly to her.

"Blo…. blood," Luna said out of shock and fear as she fell to the ground and sat on the floor.

"Shhh," I said to the two of them, placing my hands on my lips.

"Is he dead? Who is this? What happened? Why is there blood?" Luna said, her voice barely a whisper.

"I will explain later, I promise," I assured both Arabella and Luna

I glanced at my phone, still hoping for a response from Louis, but there was still no word. With time slipping away, I knew I had to act swiftly.

Taking a moment to gather myself, I assessed his condition once again. The urgency of the situation pressed upon me, reminding me that every passing second was critical.

I rummaged through my cabinets, finding some basic first aid supplies that I hoped would aid in stabilizing him until Louis arrived.

"What are you looking for?" Luna asked.

"The first kit or anything to stop the bleeding and my oxygen mask, " I said to her, Luna brought out the kit from one of the rooms and I smiled a little at her.

I placed the oxygen mask on his face as I tended to his wounds, my hands shook with anxiety, I applied pressure to the bleeding areas and did my best to keep him comfortable.

"What are you going to do?" Arabella asked, a hint of concern and fear laced in her voice

"You can't just leave him, he might die here and we will be arrested for murder," Luna said, Obviously scared of the consequences.

"Nobody is going to be arrested, Louis, is he home?" I asked, still applying pressure on the wound.

"Yes, he just got home," Arabella looked through the window.

"Please, bring him here," I instructed Arabella.

"Luna, please get more towels," I asked politely.

In the meantime, I remained focused on keeping him alive, knowing that his survival depended on my swift actions. I kept an eye on his vital signs, awaiting Louis' arrival.

My mind couldn't help but wonder who he was? And if he would survive this.