Unstable (Sequel to Twisted)

Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

I jolted from the loud noise, which sounded right behind me, and I felt something splatter all on the side of my face.

But I felt no pain.

Trembling uncontrollably, I turned just in time to look into the eyes of a man who had died almost instantly. Simon stared at me, wide-eyed, his eyes seeming to go completely still and unblinking, and there was a hole right in the middle of his forehead with blood seeping through it.

And since I was in front of him, the blood was coated on me now.

I felt like the entire back of my head was engulfed in it, and I stared in horror at him as he suddenly fell towards me. His dead weight was heavy, and I reached out my arms to somewhat catch him, but he was much too heavy.

I landed painfully on the floor with him on top of me, and I started clawing at him, trying to get his lifeless body off of me. More of his blood coming from his head was soaking onto my shirt, staining it a crimson color, and Niall was there, pulling Simon off of me.

I felt as though the entire room was silent-an eerie silent. Everyone was probably stunned at what just happened.

Someone tugged on my arm, and I instantly knew it was Harry.

"Are you okay?" Harry's voice cut through my whirling thoughts. His voice was quick and rushed, slightly breathless, and I felt his hands were running over my body, checking to see if I was hit. "Claire? Can you answer me? Are you okay?"

I couldn't answer.

My eyes were on Simon's body, which was being dragged a bit by Niall. However, as soon as I was standing up, Niall dropped Simon on the floor and wiped his hands on his jeans, glancing uncertainly at Liam, who was standing near us also.

"Who did that?" One of the men wearing suits asked sharply. "Who the fuck did that?"

"I did."

Everyone's eyes fell on Eleanor who was holding up Louis's pistol. Louis looked surprised that she had it, so I figured she must've taken it from him without his knowing. Her eyes looked wild, getting red from tears, and I could tell she was on the verge of a breakdown.

Louis instantly stepped to her, gently taking the pistol from her hand and pulling her into him. Harry's hands were still searching where Simon's blood was on my body, double-checking to see if I was alright, and I once again looked back at Simon. His gun was a few feet in front of me, and it was now useless.

It was no longer dangerous.

I've always known that guns alone weren't dangerous-guns were meant for many things. They could be meant to be used as self-defense; for instance, if someone broke into your home you could use a gun to defend yourself.

But guns could also be used for lethal, more dangerous things. Like robbing a house, carrying a gun to take someone out if you were caught. Horrible things like that.

Like everything, guns had pros and cons to them.

But it was in the hands of the beholder that decided if they were good or not. It wasn't the gun itself-it was the person holding it.

Another shot rang through the air, and I felt as though it ricocheted right past me.

And instantly-everyone was in motion. Mostly everyone dove behind something as more shots rang out, and I felt Harry's arm encircle around my waist and almost painfully throw me down to the floor.

But he was a moment too late.

Because right when I felt him pull on me, a sharp-very sharp-pain ignited in my thigh, and I didn't even have time to cry out before I was thrown on the floor with Harry on top of me. The shots were continuing to fire, but I was staring up at the ceiling, seeing Harry's messy curls on top of me, his larger body enveloping mine protectively.