Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Richard's hand trembled around his cigarette when the gunshot rang out from inside the car. He froze, uncertain what had just happened.

He tossed the cigarette into the trash and yanked open the car door.

Inside, Dylan was holding Clara tightly, his hands shaking so badly he seemed lost, helpless.

A flicker of turmoil passed through Richard's eyes. "We should get her to a hospital."

Dylan tried to lift Clara, desperate to help, but his arms wouldn't cooperate-they felt weak and numb.

Without hesitation, Richard took Clara from him and hurried toward the hospital.

Dylan stood rooted to the spot for a few seconds, everything around him spinning. The ground felt soft and unreal beneath his feet, the world blurring at the edges. All he could see was the scene that had just played out, looping in his mind like a nightmare he couldn't shake.

He stumbled through the hospital corridor in a daze, watching as doctors swarmed around Clara, working frantically.

Her face was ghostly pale, but she hadn't fainted. Her eyes stayed shut, sweat trickling down her forehead.

After the bullet was removed, Clara leaned against the bed, silent, looking as fragile as glass.

Dylan stood at her bedside, just staring at her.

Clara didn't look at him. She didn't speak, didn't ask for anything.

After a long, heavy pause, Dylan suddenly turned and walked out without a word.

Clara pressed her lips together, still saying nothing.

She'd been recovering here for weeks, never stepping outside Palm Bay. But her worry for Dylan had only grown, wearing her down until she was little more than skin and bone.

Richard showed up at the doorway, surprised to see Dylan storming out, radiating anger.

where are you going?" he

Dylan just kept walking,

forehead and walked into Clara's room, letting

two are unbelievable. Guns aren't toys,

you turn one on yourself. If Dylan ever comes to grips with what happened,

Clara really was ruthless.

just with others-worst of all, with

managed, "Dylan will probably

biting her lip,

two words, and her voice was all ragged, as if

drove her back to Palm Bay, and that's when Clara found out Megan was still

one look

assumed

it. For

second, something like excitement

her eyes, but

"Clara, are you okay?"

her head, pale and quiet as she

hurried to

to whip up

then came

sweat from

brow.

man again? Who

her face drained of

ready to say more, but

Megan, you just got a call. They

still recovering how could she leave her now, when she needed