Gunshots echoed through the valley, the sharp noise reverberating in the air. Wadeâs men fell one by one, their blood staining the ground.
âChris! Chris!â
As Wade searched for Chrisâ medicine, a pale hand gripped his tightly.
âChris!â Wade paused, his eyes filled with panic. âStay with me, okay? Weâll get you to the hospital!â
Chrisâs lips had lost their color, and his voice was faint and weak. âWade, I⦠donât think⦠Iâll make it.â
As he lay on Wadeâs lap, tears streamed down his face. Compared to Wade, he felt useless and saw no future for himself. âIâm sorry, Wade, for dragging you down with me.â
âStop talking and save your strength. Weâll talk once weâre at the hospital, okay?â
Chris closed his eyes and shook his head wearily. âNo. Theyâll catch you if we go to the hospital. You need to escape and leave me behind. Go far away, and take Ryland with you.â
Step into new worlds at g Ɐ lnÏ Î½ð® âsâ¤conn A faint smile crossed his pale face as he continued, âI knew you wouldnât hand Ryland over. Wade, after I dieâ¦â He choked, then looked up at Wade, memorizing his face for the last time. âWhen Iâm gone, let Ryland keep you company. Be good to him. Donât let him become like us.â
His words made Wade feel as though a huge part of him was slipping away, fading to a place he could no longer reach.
âNo, no, no! Chris! Chris!â
Wadeâs tears fell on their clasped hands. Chrisâ grip loosened, and Wade could feel him slowly drifting away.
âIâm sorry, Chris! Iâm so sorryâ¦â Wade covered his face with his hands as he dissolved into tears. âI failed to protect you, Chris, Iâm sorry!â
âItâs not your fault,â Chris whispered weakly, trying to lift his hand to touch Wadeâs head but lacking the strength. âI donât blame you anymore.â
The words were uttered slow and faint, his last farewell.
âChris!â
Chris closed his eyes for the last time, never to open them again. He lay peacefully, as if a child finally at rest. It was as though he was telling Wade that he could finally find peace.
Seeing the scene through the rearview mirror, the driver decided not to go to the hospital. Without a command from Wade, the vehicle veered toward the airport instead.
âMr. Potter, what should we do about this woman?â the driver asked.
Liza, uninterested in the prior exchanges of affection between Wade and Chris, wondered if Chrisâ death might render her expendable as well.
âJust let me out up ahead,â she suggested, catching the ominous look in Wadeâs eyes. It seemed he had never planned to spare her life.
Panic set in, and Liza began frantically banging on the car window, crying out for help amid the bustling traffic. âHelp me, anyone! Please, I need help!â
As the car climbed the overpass at high speed, the door swung open suddenly, and Liza was forcefully ejected. She hit the pavement hard, rolling across the asphalt. A massive truck, unable to stop in time, struck her, catapulting her body through the air.
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