Chapter 71: The Gunshot

Chapter 71: The Gunshot
The surroundings were full of noise and chaos. I didn't know where to go. The inside of the mansion was dark. The power was out due to the fire and chaos outside. The only light was the raging fire in the woods.

There was no one left inside the mansion. Most of the servants were hurrying to leave the place. I had no news about Grandpa. I had no news about Aslan.

While walking, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach again. I stopped in the hallway for a moment.

"Please, calm down. We'll see your Dad soon."

I forced myself to walk again. I didn't believe what I had heard earlier. I knew Aslan was still alive. I reached the lower floor, just a few steps away from the chaos outside. I heard that word again. Alpha.

My eyes widened at what I heard. I immediately followed the noise. Aslan. I finally got outside. The smoke and the breeze greeted my pale skin. Flecks of ember circulate in the night air. It seemed like dancing lights in the middle of dark sky.

I stood at the dark side of the mansion. My mind couldn't seem to register what I was seeing. The fire, the injured people, the shouting, and the running footsteps.

In the middle of the darkness, I tried to make out familiar faces, but they were all veiled by the darkness and the chaos. I stepped closer until I was nearly exposed. The hem of my white dress danced in the breeze. Someone saw me, but they were too busy fighting to stay alive.

I saw a familiar figure. He was turned away from me, struggling to stand up from the ground. At that moment, I knew... from the shoulders I had leaned on, from the arms that had made me feel the tightness of his embrace, even if he looked different, even if he no longer recognized anyone, I knew it was him in front of me.

Aslan.

He was surrounded by my Grandpa's men, ganging up on him like he was a monster. He was panting. Part of his head was bleeding. He was injured and exhausted, but he remained fighting, even if his sharp claws weren't hitting anyone, even if he was almost falling with every movement.

I stepped forward again. My tears fell one after another. I seemed to be out of my mind while watching him, while walking in the middle of the chaos. Enough. Please. Aslan.

A sharp, distinct sound caught my attention. My feet stopped moving. I turned to where it came from. A few steps away from me was my Grandpa. He was at the entrance of the mansion. He didn't notice my presence because he was focused on something, the gun in his hand. The noise I had heard was from him cocking his gun.

I followed the direction it was pointed, until I realized I was staring at Aslan’s back.

Time seemed to stop as I realized. Grandpa, no! He slowly pulled the trigger, and in that exact moment, I knew... it would end here... in this generation... with Aslan and I.

I run. At the same time he pulled the trigger, I ran.

Sorry, sorry if I chose your Dad over us. Sorry if things have to end this way. But my child, you always have to remember. Your Dad came for us. He came here to risk his life for us. It's our turn now.

A gunshot echoed around. I found myself facing Aslan. He turned to me. Aslan slowly returned to his normal form while staring at me.

I felt nothing. Everything was normal, my breathing, no pain. Until I felt something warm. Very warm, and it seemed to be piercing my body. I fell to the ground.

The place was swept by silence. I felt Aslan’s arms wrap around me. He stared at me, his face shadowed by the moonlight and the trees. It was comforting, the silence, the trees, and breeze as if they were lulling me to sleep.

"Cosette..."

My Aslan. I touched his face. I smiled. Will I still see you waiting for me down the aisles? I want to see that day...

The searing pain kept digging right into me. I could feel it sipping through every limp of my body. Aslan tried to lift me up. His arms were covered with my blood.

"Cosette, look at me. Cosette, don't you dare close your eyes."

All I can see is Aslan. I touched him again, but the strength of my hands was fading. He was looking down. Tears fell from his eyes and landed on my face.

"Aslan..."

"Cosette, please. I'll take you to the hospital. Please. We're going home to Elwood."

Elwood... I remembered the place I once called home, the mansion and the downtown. I always thought I could go back.

"Don't do this to me. Don't do this to me! Let's go home. Please, let's go home."

I smiled as I slowly let go of my last breath. My eyes slowly closed.

In your arms... Aslan... home... will always be in your arms. I'm home.