Bent in the Undergrowth
by Emily

People are running and screaming, frantically trying to get away. Ramsey is still shooting.

And at the other end of the hallway Adam Rove is frozen in a classroom doorway.

You don't stop to think. You just start running.

You don’t notice that you are the only one running towards the gunfire, you don’t notice that you are shoving people out of your way. You don’t notice anything but Adam.

You don’t know why Adam is frozen instead of running like everyone else. You don’t know if your Mom and little brother are all right. You don’t know if you’ll live through this. You don’t know why God let this happen. You only know that you can’t stop. That you can’t let Adam get hurt.

You run for a handful of seconds that seem like forever. And finally, *finally* you’re there.

You push Adam back into the classroom and to the ground. You whisper a quick, desperate prayer that he’ll stay there, that he’ll be safe.

You spin around and come face to face with Ramsey. He is only a few feet away. And he is staring straight at you. His eyes are wide and he looks uncertain. You feel a spark of hope and take a deep breath. “Ramsey, listen to me. You *don’t* have to do this.”

He tilts his head and watches you closely. “Whatever is wrong is your life, whatever made you pick up that gun, I promise you this is *not* the answer.” He lowers the gun. You take another deep breath. “Things *can* get better but they won‘t unless you stop this.“ You step forward nervously and extend your hand. You pretend that your hand isn’t shaking. “Ramsey, give me the gun.”

He slowly raises the gun and you can’t help but flinch when the barrel is pointed directly at you. His eyes darken and he shakes his head. “Should’ve known better.“ He mumbles. You’re suddenly glad that the hallway is now empty except for the two of you. Ramsey squeezes the trigger twice and turns and quickly walks away.

You look down at your body in shock and gingerly touch the two bloody wounds in your stomach. Your fingers come away stained with your own blood. You exhale slowly and painfully as it hits you that you’ve actually been shot.

You hear a soft ‘Oh, God’ from behind you and turn slowly to meet Adam’s eyes. “Adam, are you…” You trail off. What…what were you going to say? You press a hand to your head. All of a sudden you’re very dizzy.

Adam is grabbing the classroom doorframe and pulling himself up, without taking his eyes off of you. You need to know that he’s okay, instinctively you take a quick step forward. The world grays out around you as pain slams into you like a runaway freight train.

The world rushes back in painfully just as Adam is lowering you gently to the floor. You hiss as your back touches the floor. “Sorry.” He mutters. You reach up and touch his cheek. “*Not* your fault.” You manage to whisper. Your hand drops and you wince at the smear of blood on his cheek.

“Are you…“ Adam shakes his head. “Never mind. Stupid Question.“ He grimaces. “Course you’re not okay.” He brushes some of your hair off of your forehead.

“You?“ He looks confused. You take a careful, shallow breath. “Are you okay?“ You finally manage.

Adam nods slowly. “I’m okay.“ Thank God, you think, tiredly. All of a sudden it gets really hard to keep your eyes open and they slowly drift closed. Adam is touching your shoulder. “Joan, you need to stay awake.” He says, sounding terrified. You try to open your eyes and tell him you‘re all right. Tell him that he doesn’t have to worry and that he should probably get out of here but…you’re so tired…

“Jane…?”

Jane? He…he hasn’t called you that since…

It’s a struggle to get your eyes open. You finally manage it and Adam smiles, his relief obvious.

“Hey, Jane.” He says, quietly. “Thought I’d lost you.” His smile slips away. “Don’t do that again.” He whispers, fiercely.

“’Kay.“ You manage to get out. He takes one of your hands and squeezes it, you squeeze back weakly. “Talk…”

“Uh…” Adam looks at you blankly. “I…I started a new piece last night.” He squeezes your hand again. "You were beautiful at the dance. I was inspired. You...you‘ll come see it?"

You try to smile but your face doesn’t feel like it’s cooperating. “Like that...” Suddenly you’re coughing, uncontrollably. It hurts. God, it hurts, please make it stop, you think, desperately. And then, just as suddenly as the coughing started, it stops. You’re panting , shallowly, and hurting and Adam is staring at you, horror clear in his eyes. He touches your lips gently and you know there is blood there. And you know three other things.

You are dying. You don’t mind because Adam is okay. You love Adam Rove.

“You’re going to be all right.” Adam says, suddenly, desperately. You shake your head a little, ignoring the pain. “Don’t...give up, Jane.” He pleads. ‘Sorry’ you mouth. “Don’t be sorry.” Adam says, lowly. “Just don’t die.”

Don’t want to, you think. But you’re tired. So tired...

“Jane...” Adam whispers.

“Love you.” You choke out as your eyes drift close again.

The pain is fading...