Elysian

Confessions

"Please dad," I whimper as we remain parked behind a thick cloak of trees. 

We've been stationed here for an hour, the drugs in his system are wearing off so he's started thinking more clearly and questioning his decisions.

I clutch onto my leg, the ripped off piece of my legging doing little to stop the bleeding as my blood stains the leather seats red.

"Just take me home please," I cry, my head extremely light headed as I slouch in my seat.

"Shut up shut up shut up," He repeats frantically, running a stressed hand through his hair as the sound of police sirens intensifies.

"I need to think!" He yells, slamming his fist on the dashboard. 

"Just take me back and we can forget all about this," I plead hysterically, the pain in my leg unbearable.

"It's a little too late for that," He laughs, watching as multiple police cars pull up in front of us. "This needs to end now," He decides, pulling out his gun.

I try my hardest to open my mouth but nothing comes out, my body too weak to argue. I drift in and out of consciousness, the muffled sound of my dad arguing with the police being the only thing I can hear as my eyes slowly close.

My car comes to an abrupt stop behind the numerous police cars and the ambulance that surround Marco's recognisable car.

I rush out, leaving my lights on and my door open as I storm towards the officers. "What's happening?" I question frantically, my anxiety rising.

"He won't let the girl out of the car, our head of negotiation is talking with him," He explains. I nod, turning in the direction of the car.

"You can't get any closer," He tells me, his hand grasping my arm. "That's my girlfriend," I seethe, breaking free from his grip.

"If you startle him he may act rash and hurt her," He reasons sternly. I sigh, knowing he's right.

I watch from afar, my eyes glued to the vehicle as I nervously tap my foot. The lights flashing from the police cars illuminate the area and make it so I'm able to see Juliet in the backseat.

My stomach churns as I look at her slumped over body, her outfit covered in blood as she remains utterly still.

"Fucking do something! She needs help," I yell at a random officer desperately, my nails digging into my palm as my fists remain tightly clenched.

I let out a small sigh of relief while I watch as the officers seem to be getting through to Marco, planting lies and false promises in his head to get him to release Juliet.

He eventually concedes, agreeing to exit the car after what felt like hours of convincing. "Keep your hands up!" An officer shouts as he approaches Marco.

He's tackled to the floor, whining like a little bitch as he's roughly put in handcuffs. Despite officers trying to prevent me, I push past and rush towards Juliet who's laid out on a stretcher and being carried towards the ambulance.

"Juliet?" I call out, my voice cracking as I rush to her side. I take her hand in mine, my hold gentle  yet unmovable.

She looks up at me, clearly out of it. Her eyes are halfway shut, a dazed look on her face as she mumbles incoherently while paramedics tend to her leg.

"Bullet punctured the femoral artery, excessive bleeding, heartbeat weak," One of them lists robotically.

"I love you Juliet," I rush out, scared I'll never be able to tell her. It felt natural leaving my mouth because I think I've know it subconsciously for a while now. 

I started feeling it on our trip to Australian when I would find myself smiling at the random things she does. 

The way she gives anything she has on her to every homeless person she sees, the way she rambles so passionately about her favourite shows or how if I say something stupid for a laugh she's willing to say something two or three times more stupid to make me laugh.

I watch as she opens her mouth, attempting to say something. "Ssh it's okay don't speak," I lull, finding it too hard to watch her try and speak when it's obviously causing her pain.

I stroke her hair, my body jolting slightly as the ambulance speeds down the road.

I've never been a religious person but now I'm praying to any and every god out there, promising if she's okay I'll devote my life to actually being a good person.

I watch as her eyes close, her pained features now relaxed. I frantically turn towards the paramedic, wanting him to assure me that she'll be fine.

"She's just passed out due to blood loss," He explains, looking me in the eye. "Her heartbeat is stabilising so she should make it to the hospital," He nods.

I let out a sigh of relief but my body is still extremely tense as my hand still clutches hers. 

In that second I make a promise to myself, as soon as she wakes up I'll open up to her. I'll officially tell her that I want her to be my girlfriend even if she does already know it, I'll tell her all the things I love about her and I'll apologise for letting this happen.

I just hope I get the chance.