He throws the lighter into the puddle of gasoline on the floor, watching with a satisfied smile as flames spread across the room almost instantly. I push to my feet, quickly distancing myself from the fire and covering my mouth and nose with my T-shirt to avoid inhaling smoke.
The fire alarm goes off the next second, and I glance over at Dia lying on the ground. She’s still unconscious, and I realize that the fire is gaining momentum so fast, it’s sure to reach her within the next few minutes.
I make eye contact with Joel through the smoke and track his gaze to the gun on the floor. I know what he’s going to do before he even makes a move. We both go for the gun at the same time, throwing ourselves onto the ground. My stomach drops when he reaches it first and pushes to his feet, aiming the gun at me.
Relief courses through my veins.
He’s pointing it at me, not her.
That’s good.
“Kill me, I don’t care. Just let her go,” I beg.
His deranged smile tells me I’ve made a grave mistake.
“Why would I kill you…” He stares at Dia on the ground. “…when I can kill the person that makes your life worth living?”
Fear paralyzes me.
“If I kill her, I’m killing you, too.”
And he’s right.
I wouldn’t last a day in this fucked-up world without her.
“Say goodbye to your girlfriend, Richards.” Joel aims the gun at Dia, and the thought of losing her flips a switch inside my brain.
A year ago, I was in the same position, watching Lake Belmont take away the only girl I’ve ever loved. Different circumstances, same life-threatening danger. I didn’t save her then. I let my PTSD call the shots, and I’ll be damned if I let it happen again.
No.
Fuck no.
I’m saving her this time.
I make a desperate lunge for Joel seconds before he pulls the trigger, pinning him to the ground with all my strength. The bullet misses Dia by a few inches, and I punch him in the jaw so hard I feel a bone crack in my hand.
I’m pretty sure I just fractured my hand, but I barely feel it, high on adrenaline. I set out to disarm him and twist his wrist, straining his joints, and he howls in pain, releasing the barrel of the gun. I waste no time in snatching the gun from him and pointing it at his forehead.
“What are you going to do? Kill me?” Joel smiles a bloodstained smile.
I want to.
I want to blow his brains out and watch it splatter everywhere. But then that would make me just as bad as he is. And Diamond Mitchell deserves a good man. I’m going to do everything in my power to be that man.
Driven by impulse and rage, I strike Joel on the side of head with the barrel of the gun a total of two times, effectively knocking him out. I rise off his body and, without giving him another glance, sprint over to Dia, who’s seconds away from being devoured by the flames. I pick her up into my arms a little too late and feel the flames scorching the shit out of my right arm. I didn’t feel my broken nose or my fractured hand, but for some reason, I feel the burn tenfold as I carry Dia out of the house through the back door, leaving Joel to perish in the blaze. Every breath is difficult, but I push through, taking Dia to the front of the house and putting her down on the grass before falling to my knees.
“Finn!” I recognize my best friend’s voice.
My head snaps up, and I see Xavier and Aveena running toward us, the two of whom look perfectly fine. They were probably alerted by the fire alarm and thick smoke. Joel must’ve been lying about his friend going after them, or maybe Xavier took care of his buddy himself. Either way, I’ve never been happier to see him. I spot Theo and Lacey not far behind Xavier and Aveena, and the weight on my shoulders decreases.
They’re okay.
Everyone’s okay.
“The cops and the firefighters are on their way,” Xavier assures me. I nod, but all I can think about is Dia. Xavier slows down at the sight of her lifeless body. “Is she okay?”
“I… I don’t know.” My voice cracks. “Baby, wake up.” I brush her cheek with my fingers.