Chapter 43

Opening my eyes, I notice the guard standing in front of Mr. Hallowell is now on the floor. A bullet went through his forehead.

Mr. Hallowell is doesn't move for a few moments. Rebecca stops sobbing when she sees the guard on the ground. Mr. Hallowell slowly opens his eyes and begins touching his chest. We both look in the direction the bullet came from.

A petite blonde is hanging out of a window, located on the third floor, holding a semi-automatic gun.

LeAnn?!

The man looks up at LeAnn, confused, and then grins. She looks down at him, then aims the semi-automatic, and begins to shoot at him!

The man grabs the closest guard and uses his body as a shield as he runs to the stairs! The guard groans as he becomes riddled with bullets.

Once The Man reaches the staircase, he throws the guard's lifeless body to the ground, making his way up to LeAnn.

She begins to shoot the rest of the guards. When she sees more guards coming in from the back door, she aims her gun at a big oil tank and shoots!

It causes a huge explosion taking them all out!

The explosion is so big it also knocks the Hallowells' and me to the ground.

The entire back of the warehouse fills with smoke and fire instantaneously. LeAnn then sees The Man continues running up the stairs, onto the third floor, disappears into the office.

Mr. Hallowell sits up and crawls to his wife. Her chair is on its side, and she's quietly crying as she pulls against the ropes. He begins untying her. A guard comes up from behind him, grabs him, and punches him in the face. Mrs. Hallowell screams, still trying to pull at the ropes.

"Hey!" A familiar voice yells behind the guard. He turns.

It's Sam!

She uses the butt of the gun and hits the guard on the head.

He falls.

Panting, she then walks around and kicks him in the head, knocking him out!

Sam hesitates when she sees me. She runs over to me, untying my arms and legs. "You said you would save my parents. It seems like I have to save everyone," Sam says, smiling at me. Her smile fades when she notices how hurt I am.

I struggle to get up. She then wraps her arms around me, helping me to stand. Once I am on my two feet, I kiss her.

"Yeah? Well, you're late," I say, coughing and wincing.

She gives me a sympathetic smile. "Yeah, well...you fight for me, I fight for you!"

Sam lets me go and turns to her parents. Her words slowly register in my head.

Does she mean that? I look at her like I am seeing her for the first time. Again. If I wasn't sure before, I am now. Samantha Hallowell is now my reason for everything. Samantha is definitely worth this and more. I love her and will dedicate the rest of my life to showing her I do.

Tim hugs his daughter and wife tightly, kissing them both on their foreheads.

We suddenly hear gunfire and things breaking in the office above! LeAnn needs my help and soon. She cannot handle The Man by herself.

Max jumps out of nowhere and grabs Sam from behind! She pales as he holds a big piece of glass to her neck.

Mr. Hallowell grabs his wife as she tries to grab for her daughter.

"I'm getting so sick of you all! What is it going to take for you all to die?!" Max looks around and continues, "I guess this place going up in flames with you in it should be fine."

Another explosion rocks the entire building! I don't know how long this place will stand.

Max puts his lips to Sam's ear. "Sam, sweetheart! I have big plans for you. Let's go!"

Max yanks her as two other guards rush by his side. "Don't let them leave!" He yells at them.

The fire towards the back is inching closer and closer. We all feel the heat of the flames.

One guard rushes up to me and punches me on my side! I instantly fall to the floor. The pain has me seeing double. More blood oozes out.

"Get up, asshole!" The guard yells at me.

I try too. Getting up to my knees, I struggle. My wound is still bleeding, and I don't know how much longer I have.

Suddenly, I hear two gunshots! The guard falls to the floor.

Mr. Hallowell stands there and brings the gun down to his side. He exhales loudly. Mrs. Hallowell and I exchange stunned looks.

I struggle to get up when I hear the gun cock. Mr. Hallowell points it right at me.