Connor

I couldn’t take the shot. I wasn’t Johnny; my aim was good, but not stellar, and the floor was already at a 20 degree tilt. Miranda had her gun at point blank range to Lily’s head. If she pulled the trigger before I got her –

I slowly held my .45 away from my body and let it fall to the floor.

All the ugliness I knew was inside Miranda revealed itself on her face. It was the evil leer of a serial killer, the grin of a Great White Shark.

“I win,” she gloated.

My heart sank.

It was over.

I had failed.

I looked at Lily, both sorrow and love welling up at once. She was seated in some sort of chair bolted to the floor, and was handcuffed to the metal armrest.

Lily’s eyes were frantic, but her lips were moving. She was mouthing something…

Keep her talking.

I couldn’t tell for the life of me what she had in store, but I complied.

I looked up at Miranda. “You win. You can do with me whatever you want, but please – let Lily go.”

“Don’t waste your breath,” Miranda snarled. “Walk towards me w