Jessica's POV
Crimson. Everywhere. Staining everything it touched.
His palm was damp with perspiration against mine as we fled through the darkness, our fingers slowly losing their grip. I shouted for him to maintain his hold. To never release me. He had no right to even consider it. If he dared, I would end him with my own hands.
Yet he promised me he would never let go regardless of what happened. He swore he would always maintain his grasp, and that pledge was everything I needed to hear. It convinced me that every sacrifice was justified. I was abandoning my entire existence for him, my birthright, and my destiny, so the minimum he could offer was to keep holding on.
We were nearly at safety. Just a bit further, and freedom would be ours. Just a bit more. You can manage this, Jessica.
Then a shot rang out, and his fingers slipped from mine. I stopped abruptly, my eyes widening in horror as I spun around and witnessed...
