Punishment

Manuel cut through the teeming traffic as he drove us at top speed to the hospital. My heart was in my throat by the time we got to the hospital, my eyes darting fearfully between the outside environment and Vector, who was now motionless.

Manuel got out, then came around and opened the door. I got out first, and he leaned, then slowly brought Vector out of the car. I ran to support him, and we walked into the hospital with Vector between us.

They immediately brought a stroller, and we lay Vector on it. We followed behind them as they wheeled him to the operating room.

"It appears to be a gunshot wound, " one of the doctors said, adjusting his gloves. "Do you have a police report?"

I swallowed. Tears were running down my cheeks now, and I wasn't even sure how to control it. They wanted to wait another ten minutes to bring that man to give a police report even when my Vector wasn't even moving anymore?

I turned. Vector's gun was still in my hand, and I sucked in a deep breath, my eyes