Quietus

Chapter 1

To have my worst fears come to a stark realization is quite frightening. It's almost like time stops momentarily, and in those few seconds before it truly hits me what has happened I think there is a way out of this hell we've both found ourselves in tonight.

Her legs buckle and before I can reach her to prevent her fall she has hit the rock hard ground, the clouds of dust fly up from where her body had struck it. Then I only have tunnel vision, I could care less if the hillbilly wanna be mobster along with his turncoat accomplice decide to get out of here as quickly as they can, leaving only Samantha and I alone in their wake.

Because all that matters in this space and time is being with the love of my life, the woman who is currently trying to focus on my visage, one that no doubt is full of worry and concern for her. She tries to take a deep breath and fails miserably.

I speak to her with calmness in the tone of my voice that I definitely do not feel. I tell her to try and stay still, to not move, that I will take care of her, for her not to worry about anything because I will call for help. I can barely control the shaking of my hands as I reach inside my suit jacket trying to locate my cell phone.

I almost drop it in my haste to alert anyone to come find us, but luckily it does not fall to the ground. How difficult is it to punch in three simple numbers? My mind draws a blank. What is the number I need to call?

I close my eyes and it comes to me, I need to call 9-1-1. That's the number you call when you need help and if anyone needs help right now it is my wife.

I look at the screen on my phone and want to curse, no signal. If I've ever needed my phone to work it is right now. There is no time to waste and before I lose all patience and begin screaming I see a faint line of a signal. I press the numbers and it feels like it takes forever for the operator to answer my call.

"Please help us, my wife has been shot," I say in a voice that doesn't sound like mine at all. I try to think where we are located exactly and I'm not sure. I can only give a vague description and pray I've given enough information where the paramedics will be able to find us.

The operator tries to keep me on the line, but I tell her I have to go, I have to take care of my wife because she is bleeding. Oh god there is so much blood as I touch her body. How can there be that amount of blood already spilled on the ground?

"Sweetheart, it's okay, I'm here with you," I say trying not to cry, she can't see that I'm afraid. I have to be strong for her, she needs for me to be brave, not to fall apart weeping over the sight of her lying helplessly on the ground, her body contorted in ways it should not be.

"EJ, we're late," her voice falters for a second before she continues "late for the party."

"We can be a few minutes late," I reassure her, saying anything to keep her from realizing exactly what has happened to her.

"The kids?" her face screws up in pain and I hold her hands to keep her from moving around so much, maybe if I can keep her still the blood will stop flowing.

"They are fine; remember Sonny came to pick them up earlier?"

She tries to smile, but it's taking too much effort and she closes her eyes.

"Open your eyes Sweetheart; stay with me," I encourage her.

"I'm tired," she replies as her eyelids flutter.

"I'll get you home soon," I say as I take one hand to touch her neck, trying to feel her pulse which is weakening by the second.

Where in the hell are those paramedics? They should be here by now, shouldn't they?

"I want to go home," she whispers.

"As long as you are with me that is home," I say brokenly.

She tries to focus her eyes on me and nods her head a tiny bit, "You know…"

"Know what Darling?"

"I love you," she says as tears form in her eyes.

"I've loved you from the first time I saw you," I tell her. "I'll never stop loving you. Right now though you need to save your strength, don't talk."

"Cold," she utters, "so cold."

I wrangle out of my jacket so quickly I amaze myself as I drape it over her body that is now shivering.

I finally hear the sirens in the distance, thank goodness they are coming. Hopefully they will be here in a few minutes.

"Sweetheart, help is coming; you just keep holding on to my hand, everything will be all right. I love you so much."

Another ghost of a smile appears on her face as I lean over to kiss her cheek and then I feel her hand slowly losing its grip on mine.

"They are almost here, I can hear them coming," I say as the tears that have been threatening to fall ever since she has been shot finally break the surface and splash upon her face. "Stay with me Sweetheart."

He hears someone call his name, someone he should know because the voice is so familiar, but all he can do is focus on her. He can't let go of her hand even when the paramedics tell him he needs to move aside.

Don't they realize he can't leave her? He's finally gotten her back, he can't let her go.

He just can't…