Prologue

A series of shots rang out and Ela dropped to her knees.

“NO!” Art’s scream pierced through the building. Ela slowly brought her hand to her stomach and blood covered her fingers. She fell onto her side and Art quickly bent down bringing her onto his lap. Jason took her hand in his.

“Come on El! Stay with me! The team will be here soon! Just a few more minutes. Stay with me, please!”

“You can’t do this El! We have to celebrate our victory! You promised! You freaking promised me!”

Tears were flowing down their faces and they were struggling to speak. Suddenly, Ela’s face morphed with anger. Everything around faded. It was just the two of them now. She stood up and pushed Jason away hard.

“I saved you but you couldn’t save me. I trusted you!”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“You’re pathetic and weak! How could you let me die? You should have tried harder!”

“I did. El please-“

“You never could do anything useful, could you? Why are you still here? I shouldn’t have saved you! You should have died instead of me.”

“You’re right! I should have died in your place. You should have let them shoot me.”

“What does it change now? You didn’t do anything back then! When I needed you most.”

“El I tried everything I could. We all did.”

“Yeah, all of you did but they did it because they loved me. You did it out of guilt. You did it to get rid of the blood on your hands.”

“You know that’s not true. You were like my elder sister. Of course, I did it because I loved you.”

“NO YOU DIDN’T!”

“You always loved yourself more.”

“El-“

“But it doesn’t matter anymore. What if you didn’t die then. You can still die now.”

Jason felt his throat closing, his breath running short. He thrashed around not knowing what to do to free his airways. He scratched his throat trying to get the air in. Dark orbs swam into his line of vision. Everything darkened. His eyes drew close and he stopped trying. He let himself go, ready to join Ela on the other side.

“Jason! Jason! JASON! WAKE UP!”