"GUNNER!"
His name was torn from Emma's throat the second her eyes focused on the gun in a stranger's hand, pointed directly at him. Gunner's eyes widened momentarily, his foot taking a small step forward.
"Emm- " Her name was cut short, interrupted by the sound of a gun going off. For a moment the only thing she could hear was her own heart pounding against her ribcage. Gunner was standing several feet in front of her, until he fell to his knees and then on his back. There was blood…so… much… blood it paralyzed her. She could hear the man running away, his footsteps echoing along the empty street. She could feel her own legs give out beneath her, but it wasn't until she heard Gunner say her name that she was able to focus, able to crawl toward him, one hand carelessly dragging her oxygen tank behind her. She reached for him, pulling his head onto her lap, as her hands desperately searched for his wound. Once she found it, she tried to cover it, wanting nothing more than for the blood to stop before he lost too much.
"Oh my god." She choked out, tears spilling across her cheeks. With a trembling hand she cradled his face, his eyes struggling to stay open.
"No, no, no. This is not happening. Please." She cried. "Don't close your eyes. Don't you dare close your eyes, Gunner!"
She looked around, up toward Norman's house. It was so close, yet so far away. Maybe if she ran to the Motel office, she would have enough time to call the police. But what if something happened to him before she got back? Swallowing down the vomit that had began to rise in her throat, she squeezed her eyes shut and screamed as loud as she could. She screamed until her throat was raw and the sound of shoes against stone became apparent. She could see three figures in the distance, running toward her. She released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.
"Look! It's Norma and Norman and Dylan and they're right there and there going to get help, okay? Gunner? You're going to be alright. Just, answer me, please." She begged, pulling him closer. He mumbled something then, a hint of a smile gracing that beautiful face of his.
"What?" She leaned in. "I didn't hear you."
"I love you." He whispered. "A lot."
"Don't say it like that." She said. "Don't say it like it's a goodbye. You're fine. You'll…you'll be fine." She leaned in and brushed her mouth against his lips. They tasted like weed and blood.
"Thank you." He breathed. She was about to respond when the sound of her name caused her head to snap up.
"He's been shot." She called out. "You have to call the police!"
Norma gasped, forming incoherent sentences before disappearing into the motel's office. Dylan and Norman rushed to their side but as Emma looked down, Gunner's eyes were no longer open.
"Gunner?" She said, slightly shaking him. No movement.
"Gunner." She said more firmly. Still no movement. Suddenly Norman's hand was on her shoulder, while Dylan reached toward the one boy in the world who had finally loved her back. He put his ear against Gunner's chest. When he couldn't make out a heartbeat, he took two fingers and placed them on the boys neck, searching for his pulse. He shook his head, trying a few more times, before finally meeting Emma's eyes and placing a hand on her own.
"Emma...I don't think he's breathing."