Page 177 of Wallflower

Coming up next to Bucky, his ear hovers over Rose’s lips. “What happened?”

“I don’t know, she tackled me then didn’t get up.”

“Move,” I gruff, shoving him out of my way.

“She’s got a pulse,” Bucky offers, but it does nothing to calm the racing of my heart.

Leaning over her, I place my hand on the floor for support. Rose's hair tangles around my fingers, liquid squelching beneath my palm.

The sensation halts my movement. Raising my hand from the floor, red streams off it in a steady drip.

“No, no, no. Rose. Rose? Rose! Baby, wake up!” My frantic hands rove over her body, looking for the source of her leaking blood. “Come on, Rose, this isn’t funny.” I fake a laugh, hoping for a subtle upturn of her lips.

I get nothing, no recognition whatsoever.

My long sleeve black shirt swallows her form, obscuring any wound she could have. I hike the garment up her abdomen, there’s no injury to be seen.

“Chelsea!” I shout, rolling Rose onto her side. My gaze travels her spine.Nothing.“Chelsea!”

“What?”

Blood pools beneath Rose’s ribs on the opposite side. “Get over here!”

“Kind of busy!” she replies, and I have to resist the annoyance. There’s more important things to deal with.

Shooting Bucky a look, I growl, “Get her over here. Kill Karson if you have to.” Rolling Rose gently onto her other side, I start to lift the shirt.

“How?” Bucky questions.

“Rose’s gun is hidden in the flour canister.” I jut my chin in the direction. She didn’t actually hide it from me, but giving her the illusion she got one up on me was an easy sacrifice for her to feel safe.

Rose wheezes a breath, a wet sucking sound shooting my terror through the roof. Blood leaks from her mouth, light and foamy, as her airway clears, breaths laboured and sputtering.

Bucky’s hesitant to leave my side, but follows orders. “Call Dr. Gellar,” I instruct.

Looking back to Rose, my breath stalls as fear like I’ve never known constricts around my chest. I place my palm over the bullet wound pierced through her back on the right side, crimson seeping out between my fingers.

Her eyes flutter open, my tension unwinding only slightly. “Rip?”

“I’m here,” I answer softly before shouting over my shoulder, “Chelsea, god fucking damn it, get over here!”

“Is Bucky okay?” she rasps, rolling onto her back, blood-tinged spit trailing from the side of her mouth.

“Yeah, baby, he’s perfect.” Her tight features relax, relief rolling through her.

A shot bangs through the kitchen, followed by Chelsea’s sorrowful wails.

“What’s—” Rose tries to sit up, words cut off as she hisses in agony.

“Please, don’t move. You’ve been shot.”

“I know.”

“You know?”

She nods, letting me aid her back to the floor.

Bucky rounds the corner, dragging Chelsea by the hair.