A loud gunshot rang out, simultaneous with Edward's voice.
In the deafening blast, Natalie couldn't hear Edward's last words. Everything seemed to slow down, replaying in slow motion: a bloody hole appeared in Edward's chest, crimson blooming across his shirt. Edward looked down, disbelief flickering across his face as he reached out to her.
Natalie instinctively reached back, their fingers almost touching, but Edward slowly collapsed.
"Edward!"
*****
Meanwhile, hidden high in a tree outside the manor walls, Adam smirked. He packed away his rifle and spoke into his radio, "Mission accomplished."
He quickly descended, disappearing into the night before the security detail arrived.
*****
Rain lashed down. On the capital's main thoroughfare, a presidential motorcade cleared the way fo
