His heart started thudding, the gun shaking in his trembling hands.
Why wasn’t he putting his gun down?
Why wasn’t he moving away from the baby?
Why wasn’t anyone else doing something?
“Last chance, Vitalio,” his father said softly.
Viper shook his head.
The Boss spoke. “Leave it be, David.”
Move the gun, dad, Tristan urged in his head, his lips trembling.
His father shook his head. “His daughter for my daughter.”
Move away, dad.
He shouldn’t have been here.
He shouldn’t have sneaked in to see this.
He couldn’t understand.
He didn’t understand.
Oh god, why wasn’t his father moving away?
He was so scared. He was so, so scared.
He wanted to leave.
But his feet wouldn’t move. They wouldn’t move.
He tried to swallow his whimpers as his heart started to hurt. He just wanted to go home. He just wanted to sleep in his bed. He just wanted his sister back. He wanted to go home.
But his shoes were stuck to the ground.
He shouldn’t be here.
Oh god, he was so scared.
His heart pounded so hard he could hear it in his ears, his stomach heavy.
His entire body started shaking, his arms trembling, bleeding, hurt.
His father cocked the gun, unlocking it.
Tristan started to cry, unable to stop his tears anymore. He loved his dad so much. But why was he doing this? He didn’t understand. This wouldn’t bring Luna back.
His breathing became heavy.
Tristan watched his father’s finger hold the trigger and saw his muscles move, and he knew with sudden certainty that his dad was going to pull the trigger.
This wasn't a bluff. This wasn’t a game. It was life and death.
Tristan looked at his father’s face and saw nothing. No hint of the face he had when he looked at Luna. No hint of any softness.