15. Gideon
15
Gideon
“Do you think Laney has met your family yet?” I asked Raven as we continued searching for our friend.
“I don’t know,” Raven replied thoughtfully. “Maybe Dad went to see her. She was nervous about meeting them. She’s been alone for so long that trusting someone who says they love her feels dangerous. Laney has done everything on her own for so long that being alone feels… safe.”
“She told me once it was like raising a child when she married Gavin. Said he never helped around the house and was even afraid to kill spiders.”
Raven smirked faintly. “You two must’ve had plenty of time to talk while on the road. What else did she say?”
“It was mostly about Haley,” I said. “She admitted that after Gavin was killed, she was terrified something might happen to her, leaving Haley all alone. She told me she’s relieved you’re her brother. She said she trusts you to keep Haley safe if anything ever happens to her.”
“That’s sweet,” Raven said, his tone softening. “I’d take care of Haley in a heartbeat.”
I saw the faraway look in his eyes and gently nudged him back to the present. “Let’s check out this building and see if Pete’s here. I still can’t believe he escaped from that jail. Do you think he actually made it out, or…” I hesitated. “...do you think they killed him?”
“God, I hope they didn’t kill him,” Raven said, his jaw tightening. “I don’t think they did. If they had, they’d have plastered it all over the news to send a message. They’d want everyone to know.”
“You think they’re hunting him, too?”
“Absolutely. He’s not in this building, but he’s got to be close. If what we heard is right, he escaped just two blocks from here. We need to find him before they do,” Raven said. He motioned toward another structure. “Let’s check over there.”
“Wait,” I said, freezing. “What the fuck is that?”
A group of men appeared at the far end of the street, moving quickly. “Look at those men coming this way. Are they running?”
Raven cursed. “Shit. Run! They’re coming for us. We’re dressed like everyone else—how the hell do they know we’re Americans?”
“Maybe they heard Pete’s nearby,” I said, my pulse racing. “Let’s hide.”
Before we could move, the crack of gunfire erupted. Bullets hissed past my head.
“They’re shooting at us!” I yelled, and then everything shifted. My body slammed into Raven’s as I felt the bullets hit me.
Raven grabbed me as we turned the corner, pulling me toward a narrow doorway. Suddenly, hands yanked us inside.
“Get in the jeep! We’re getting the fuck out of here,” Pete shouted.
Raven hauled me into the back seat. Pete hit the gas, and the jeep rocketed forward, bullets spraying the air around us. I slumped back, my mind spinning, floating in and out of consciousness. Images of Laney filled my thoughts.
“We need to get Gideon to the plane so I can treat him,” Raven said, his voice tight. “He doesn’t look good.”
“Where’s the plane?” Pete asked.
“Let me drive,” Raven added. “You’re a doctor, right? Get back here.”
I vaguely heard them shifting positions, then felt Pete rip my shirt open.
“You couldn’t just pull it over my head?” I muttered before fading out again. I heard Pete laugh faintly as I slipped away.
When I came back around, Pete was still working on me.
“Hey,” I croaked.
“How many times were you hit?” he asked, his tone sharp but steady.
“I’m not sure,” I murmured. “Three, I think.”
“I’ve already found four bullets,” Pete said. “We’re almost at the plane, so hang in there.”
“I hear another motor,” I muttered, trying to turn my head.
“Raven, step on it!” Pete shouted.
“Stay with me, Gideon. Think of someone you can’t leave. Do you have a special lady?” Pete asked, his voice firm but encouraging.
“Ask him about Laney,” Raven suggested.
Pete leaned closer. “Gideon, do you want to tell me about Laney? Is she someone special in your life? Come on, stay with me. Laney needs you. Open your eyes and talk to me.”
“Laney…” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. “She’s funny… beautiful… and Raven’s sister.”
“What? Is this another new sister?” Pete asked, surprised.
I chuckled weakly. “Yeah,” I murmured before everything went black, and I joined the stars.
It was incredible—something I can’t fully explain. I looked around and saw everyone I’d ever known who had died. They were all there, glowing like stars.
“Gideon, what are you doing here?”
I turned to see Zack, his light brighter than anything I’d ever seen. “Zack, it’s so good to see you. I can’t believe all of you are here.”
Zack smiled warmly. “Gideon, you can visit for a short time, but you have to go back. It’s not your time yet.”
“If it’s not my time, then why am I here?” I asked, confused.
“You’re here because Pete is working on your body. You have to fight to stay alive,” my friend Zack explained.
I looked around, taking in the faces of my Grandpa and all my buddies who had passed. They surrounded me; they were light, warm, and comforting. But I could feel the pull—it was my body calling me back.
“Wait,” I said, turning to my Grandpa. “Is my mother here? That’s when I saw the beautiful young lady standing beside Grandpa.
“Gideon, I never meant to leave you. I was in an accident, but I always loved you. You are my baby, and I will always love you.”
I wanted to ask her so much more, but everything about this place was strange. We weren’t bodies; we were stars, glowing and talking in ways that didn’t feel like words. Suddenly, I felt myself dimming, the pull back to my body growing stronger.
And just like that, I was back.
I opened my eyes, blinking against the harsh light. Pete’s face hovered above me. “Thank God you’re awake. How do you feel?” he asked, his relief obvious.
I realized we were on the plane, but all I wanted was to go back and ask my Grandpa about my mom. Then I remembered her talking to me. She never meant to leave me. She said she was in an accident. I closed my eyes, trying to return to that place, but nothing happened. I knew it was over—I was here to stay.
“I feel pain,” I croaked. “How many bullets hit me?”
“Five,” Pete said. “You’re lucky none of them hit anything vital. But…” He grinned. “You might be laid up from having sex for the next ten years.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I grumbled, regretting the movement.
“I’m teasing you,” Pete said with a chuckle. “You’ll be as good as new in a few weeks. But we’ll need to stop in Germany to get one of the bullets out. You might have to stay a couple of nights there. I appreciate you and Raven coming to rescue me. We barely made it out alive.”
I gave him a faint smile. “Glad we got you out, especially since you’re the doctor.”
Pete patted my shoulder. “Try to get some rest. I’m going to get some shut-eye, too.”