Isabella's POV
The sound of the gunshot tore through the forest like a crack of lightning, leaving a deafening silence in its wake. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at Alex, who had lunged forward just as Erica fired.
"Alex!" I screamed, rushing toward him.
He was on the ground, clutching his shoulder, blood staining his shirt. Erica stood frozen for a moment, as if even she hadn’t expected to pull the trigger. Then, as her lips curled into a smirk, she started to back away, her gun still pointed at us.
"You’re running out of time, Isabella," Erica sneered. "And out of luck."
Before I could react, she melted into the shadows, disappearing into the trees.
"Alex, stay with me," I pleaded, dropping to my knees beside him. His face was pale, and his breathing labored, but his ey
