Euphoria

CHAPTER 19

    *FINN'S POV*

    The figure pulled off his mask and I let out a gasp.

    Tony?

    I stared at him, confused and feeling betrayed. I ate lunch with him just a few days ago! 

    “Tony? What? Why are you-?” I stuttered out, my emotions going haywire.

    Tony glared at me and raised the gun higher. “Shut up!” He stalked closer and I shrank back. He couldn’t possibly hurt me could he? I looked down at Tinsley then back at him and realized, yes. Yes he would hurt me. After all he did shoot Tinsley! 

    I looked up at Tony and bit my lip. What can I do? 

    Tinsley let out a groan from her position on the ground and I watched as she slowly started unraveling from her ball on the ground. 

    Her attention sprung from me to Tony and then back at me. There were pained tears in her eyes and when I looked down at her stomach, I could see a splotch of red that was spreading. Tinsley let out a groan and shut her eyes closed. Her hand was pressed into the wound and she continued letting out little whimpers. 

    I stared at her unmoving body. The blood from her wound would eventually lead to blood loss and she’ll slowly die. I couldn’t let that happen. I glanced back at Tony and saw him staring at me. As my eyes flitted to his, Tony raised his brows at me.

    “She’s going to die if you don’t get her to the hospital.” I stared into his eyes, silently challenging him. But his response made me recoil in shock. 

    “I don’t care!” He stared at me, not backing down. “He promised me millions if I killed her and you!” He shoved the gun closer to my face and my eyes widened in shock. What? 

    “Who? Tony, you don’t have to do this!” I shouted, trying my best to reach Tinsley. But Tony raised his gun higher and stalked towards me until his face was inches from mine. 

    “Shut up!” Then he raised his gun at me. He pulled the safety off and I inhaled a breath.

    This was it. I was gonna die by someone I trusted. I shut my eyes and braced myself for the impact….but nothing came. There was no gunshot, no bang, nothing.

    I slowly opened my eyes to see Tinsley on the ground, her arms wrapped around Tony’s legs. She was whimpering and I could see the blood gushing from the wound. 

    “Tinsley!” I shouted. But she didn’t seem to hear me. Instead she continued holding onto Tony. Tony looked down at her and I could see the emotions and hesitation flicker cross his face. He didn’t want to kill us. No he really didn’t. 

    “Tony. If you e-ever loved me at all, please do not kill him.” she wrapped her arms tighter around his legs and rested her head on his feet. I stared at her unmoving figure.

    “I-I don’t want to kill him.” I looked up at Tony as he stuttered the words out. “I really don’t”. I could see the tears in his eyes. 

    “He-he forced me to. He said if I didn’t do it, he would take my sister off of life support.” Tears fell from his eyes and I watched as the gun slipped out of his hand. His legs weakened and he fell to the floor. 

    “Who? Tony who was it?” I stared at him intently, while I slowly made my way to the gun. 

    “I don’t know! He called me on my phone, left three voicemails and texted me specific instructions.” Tony wrapped his arms around his knees and I watched as he started brushing Tinsley’s hair. 

    s**t. Tinsley! 

    “We got to get Tinsley to a hospital. Now.” I made my move. First I grabbed the gun and tucked it into the waistband of my jeans, then slowly bent down to gather Tinsley into my arms. Tony's problems could wait. Right now, Tinsley was my main priority. 

    Tony followed me as I gently set Tinsley in the back of my truck. 

    “I’m so sorry, Tinsley.” Tony placed his hand in her hair and gently brushed it back. I glanced at them through the rearview mirror. Hang on Tinsley. We’ll be there soon. 

                        ****

    *TINSLEY’S POV*

    The world was bright. So bright. I looked around and everything was basked in this bright white light. Where was I? 

    I looked around and spun in a large circle. Suddenly I heard a voice. “Tinsley.” I turned around in shock and saw my father. 

    “Daddy!” I ran to him but when I tried to hug him, my arms went through him. 

    “Huh?” I looked up at my father in shock and fear. “Daddy? What’s going on? Why can’t I touch you?” I frantically moved my arms through him over and over again. 

    “It’s alright Tinsley. It’s okay.” I stopped moving and stared up at him. “Are you okay daddy? I miss you so much.” Tears fell from my eyes and I reached my hand up to try and touch his face, only to recoil. I couldn’t touch him. 

    “I miss you too Tin-tin.” I cried as I looked up at him. “I'm so tired daddy. I wish you could come back. I need you.” I rubbed my eyes and looked up at him. My father’s eyes glistened with tears too and he said, “I know baby. I know. But my time on Earth has come to an end. I love you so much.”    

    “Daddy! No please! I want to go with you!” I reached out but my hands were met with air. “You can’t Tin-tin. You still have so much to live for. Take care of your brother and your mother for me will you? I know you can do it.” I sobbed, reaching for a nonexistent body. 

    “Daddy. I love you.” I looked up at him through my tears and raised my fingers. 

    My father smiled and raised his hand at me in farewell. Just as he was fading, his mouth moved, talking in silent words. I love you more.

                        ****

    When I opened my eyes again, the world was no longer white and bright. My father was gone and that’s when it hit. My father. Was gone. The tears fell and I started sobbing. I’m alone. 

    Suddenly someone’s arms wrapped around me and a voice said, “I’m here. I’m here.” I sobbed and buried my face into that person’s shoulder. The smell of men’s deodorant and oak trees filled my nose. Finn. 

    The tears slowed but I kept my face hidden in his shoulder. “I’m here.”

Short update but I didn't really plan on uploading this yet. Let me know if there is anything you would like me to change. Stay tuned! Please like, comment, and follow for more! ~Hazel.