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 called

kept walking,

rubbed his forehead and walked into Clara's room, letting out a

two are unbelievable. Guns aren't

Dylan ever comes to grips with what happened, this

Clara really was ruthless.

with others-worst of all,

will probably bring the specialists back. I'll take you home

her lip, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank

words, and her voice was all ragged, as if she might cry at

that's when Clara found

one look at

assumed the

were behind it. For a

second, something like excitement

her eyes, but she quickly pushed it

"Clara, are you okay?"

and quiet as she

hurried to tell

to whip up

came back

the sweat from

brow.

it the old man again? Who did

eyes closed, her face drained

frowned, ready to say more, but then

you just got a call. They want you to leave right

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