“No!”
I ran forward.
A gunshot exploded through the clearing.
Then—
Another shot.
Julian’s body jerked violently.
He looked down in disbelief.
Blood spread across his shoulder.
Everyone froze.
Standing several feet away…
Evelyn held a pistol with trembling hands.
Her face was pale.
But her aim never wavered.
“I won’t let you hurt them.”
Julian slowly looked up.
Then…
He laughed.
Actually laughed.
“There’s the Evelyn I remember.”
He wiped blood from his mouth.
“Still willing to become a monster to protect everyone else.”
“Drop the gun.”
She whispered.
“Or I’ll shoot again.”
Julian smiled.
“You won’t.”
Silence.
Then—
Bang!
The second bullet grazed his arm.
Julian’s smile disappeared.
“So.”
He looked almost impressed.
“You finally learned.”
⸻
Lucien quickly
