A/N: Ok, I was going to wait until tomorrow to update, but I really want to, so... yeah :) I got my three reviews, so I'll treat you guys to another chapter. If there are any questions/confusion about this chapter, blame it on this: 'Of course, I just HAD to remember Live Free Or Die Hard' lol! You can thank that movie for Mitchie's little move that she just made, because it was no thanks to myself that she just saved everyone's lives. lol. Enjoy everyone, and please review! How about this: If I get under four reviews, Mitchie dies, but if I get more, she lives? It's all up to you guys... :D (And yes, anonymous reviews do count too)
Disclaimer: I don't own CR... or even whether Mitchie dies or not.... mwahaha
Of course, I just had to go up and tell Austen and Sandy everything that I'd been harboring inside. I couldn't just stay at Shane's side, couldn't be the normal girl - I just couldn't let the others take my punishment. I could've remained hidden behind Shane, but no, I just had to march up to the two of them and go off.
I wasn't sure why, but the moment I'd started talking, I felt a strange boost of power. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that they'd just shot my best friend, or maybe it was just all those years of hating them and crying over what they'd done, and then having to live in the dark, shadowed from everything in my past. Maybe it was just a mixture of everything.
And now, I was regretting my decision, because it had given Austen the opening that he'd been looking for. Just as quickly as he could, before I could register what he was doing, his hand had snaked around my wrist, and he yanked me back. He pinned me up against him, shoving his gun against my shoulder, and I wriggled, trying to get out of his grasp as he pulled me back, away from the rest of the group. I kicked out, but he was too good at his game.
I saw Shane step forwards, but Austen quickly pressed the gun harder against me, and I whimpered because, honestly, it hurt a little.
"If anyone comes any closer, I'll shoot her, I swear." Austen's loud voice boomed, and I winced, swallowing as Shane stopped in his tracks. I groaned, trying to figure out how to get out of this situation. I bit my lip, meeting Shane's eyes, and I saw the same despair in his orbs that I knew was written in mine. Quickly, before he got any ideas, I shook my head. I'd rather just die now than see him hurt or dead because of me.
I jerked as I felt something beside my head, and glanced to see Austen leaning down, his mouth to my ear.
"Well, sweetheart, it's come down to this. And it's going to happen all over again, just like it did before. You're going to watch me kill them all, and when I'm done, I'll kill you. And this time, I won't make a mistake. Now, which one of them first? How about Lover-Boy?" I stiffened at his words, the pictures unwillingly finding their way into my mind. I screamed, now terrified, and struggled harder, the panic rising in my chest. I couldn't let it happen again - I couldn't bear to watch them die.
Austen laughed, now focusing his attention on Shane, and I cried out, pushing against him in an attempt to stop him. If only he didn't have his gun trained on my shoulder...
And just like that, an idea popped into my head, and I instantly cursed myself for watching 'Live Free or Die Hard' twelve times. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the solution that was forcing itself into my head, when I realized that I couldn't go through this again. No - they had been willing to protect me, and I was willing to protect them, if it meant doing what I'd just thought of. Thank goodness Austen is taller than me, or this wouldn't work at all. My shoulder comes to his chest...
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a split second before glancing up to make sure that Austen's attention was still on the others. Noting that it was, I took advantage of my position (As you can see, I'm not the normal kind of hostage who sits there quietly, even though they are - sometimes - in the best position to solve the problem) and jerked up, my fingers sliding over the trigger. I pushed the trigger farther into my shoulder, aiming it up slightly before Austen could realize what I was doing, and pulled the trigger back.
The gun shot rang throughout the room, and I jumped forwards, falling as I did so. I hit the ground rolling, my hand now pressed firmly against my shoulder as I bit my lip to keep from screaming at the pain that had now enveloped me. Finally, I stopped, and despite my pain, my eyes flickered over to Austen, who was frozen in shock.
He glanced down at the wound in his chest, before muttering a strangled cry and falling to the ground.
I moaned as Shane rushed over to where I was lying on the ground, dropping down beside me, his eyes wide and filled with horror.
"Mitchie! What in the world did you just do?" He yelped, his eyes flashing to the wound on my shoulder before returning to me. I groaned at the pain, fighting to stay awake.
"Live Free or Die Hard." I replied, clenching my teeth together as I spoke, trying to hold the pain inside without passing out. Shane's eyes widened - if that was possible - and he stared down at me in shock.
"What?" He yelled, looking dazed. "You copied what you just saw on Live Free or Die Hard? What the heck were you thinking?" He cried, now tearing off a piece of his shirt so that he could wrap it around my shoulder. "You could've killed yourself!"
"Well, it worked, didn't it? And I'm alive, aren't I?" I repliled, still gritting my teeth together, although my vision was begining to fade.
"But... what if it hadn't worked?" Shane whispered, taking my good hand in his own. "Oh god, Mitch, I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." He muttered, and for the first time I noticed tears in his eyes.
"He said..." I broke off, struggling to take another breath before continuing, "He said 'It's going to happen all over again, just like it did before. You're going to watch me kill them'" I choked out, "I couldn't.... I couldn't let it happen again." I whispered, my voice loosing it's strength. "I'd rather be dead than have it happen again." I whispered, shaking my head slightly, although the swift motion made me gasp in pain. Shane glanced over at my arm, his face pale, before swallowing harshly.
"Hang in there, Mitch. Don't you dare die on me now." He whispered fiercely, and I sighed, my vision slowly but surely fading.
"I may not have much choice in the matter," I replied weakly, but Shane only gripped my hand tighter, shaking his head.
"Don't you dare, don't even think about it..." He ordered, his voice scratching, and I realized now that he was crying. Shane, crying, over me? I moaned as a fresh wave of pain swept through me, trying my best to keep myself awake.
I wasn't succeeding.
"Please, Mitch." Shane whispered, and I stared up into his chocolate brown eyes sadly before the darkness washed over me, and I blacked out.
Ok, so like I said: Under four reviews, Mitchie dies - more than four reviews, Mitchie lives... you guys decide :)
