Page 38 of Starving Butterfly
“Scott.”
The name hit me like a ton of bricks, and I jerked her forward.
“Where the fuck is he?” I screamed, shoving my gun in his face.
“I don’t know,” her tears ran down her face as she choked on the words.
“Where would he go?” I pressed the barrel against her forehead.
“To the roof,” she hissed. I grabbed her hair, pulling her along as I looked for a set of stairs.
Taking the steps two at a time, I bounded up the stairs and slammed open the door.
The bright white light had me blinking back as my eyes latched onto the two figures standing on the edge of the balcony.
“Shaw.”
29
CREEPING DEATH
The wind whipped around my face as soon as I opened the door. Everything was so bright and white as snow fell around the rooftop in soft piles on the already coated layers. I looked around, a smile coming to my face as I stepped onto the roof. My feet shivered with every step forward as the cold raced up my calves. It was the perfect scenery; the green forest coatedin specks of white as the snow continued to fall. Blood splashed from my chest in uneven arcs as I walked towards the center of the rooftop.
My teeth chattered as I looked all around, enjoying the fresh air. The roof door swung open a moment later, and I turned towards him, a large smile beaming across my face. Shaw looked at me out of breath, but straightened himself, a gun in his right hand and a knife sticking out of his left shoulder.
“You don’t have to worry about it, I just wanted to look around one last time before it ends,” I beamed at him. He stepped forward, and I stepped backward toward the edge of the roof.
“It’s not that easy Scott. You aren’t dying yet.” He grunted, moving forward again.
“Hasn’t it always been that easy?” I asked moving backwards again. “She’s dead you know, you’re free.”
“Doesn’t matter if I can’t make it out of here alive.” He shrugged, stepping forward once again.
“Ah the price of following orders has finally caught up to us.” I stepped back again, slipping on the thin layer of ice that had accumulated on the outside edge of the roof.
The roof door swung open, and I glanced away from Shaw to see who’d saved me in the end. It was a stupid move. Shaw tackled me, and I fell toward the center of the roof. I ripped the knife free of his shoulder, and he shouted. We tossed around until he got the upper hand and hauled me to my feet.
“Shaw,” Dustin’s voice carried across the space.
“Brother,” Shaw replied, the edge of his gun hitting my head as he held me locked between his arms. Melody’s eyes were wide with tears smeared across her face. We stood with guns aimed at our heads as the two men negotiated.
“Well, isn’t this nice? We finally get to have that conversation.” Dustin replied.
A moment later the door opened and two more men spilled out. Dustin held his hand up as they registered the situation.
“You won’t get out of here alive,” one of the men said, pointing his rifle at us.
“Eh you never know, luck might be on my side.” The gun’s safety flicked off, and everyone held their breath. I pinched my eyes shut, waiting for the end.
“True, but then what are you going to do about her?” Dustin’s voice spoke, and I locked eyes with him. Safety off as well.
“What do you want us to do boss?” One of the men asked.
“I think it’s time you grab the cars, let me handle my brother.” Dustin replied.
“You sure? We aren’t afraid to kill a civilian to bring him in,” the other man spoke.
“I’m sure, besides I think my brother cares about this broad more than he’s willing to admit.” Dustin watched Shaw’s face, then glanced at mine. I wasn’t sure if I should feel honored he was thinking of trading my life or devastated. Keeping my mouth shut, I watched as both men retreated off the roof. Dustin moved forward, Melody still in front of him like a human shield. Shaw pulled us backward. “So what’s it going to be brother?”
