24-2

"You got out?! Where is he?!" He asks quickly before turning his car around. "Yeah, he's still in there! Where's the police? What are you doing here alone?" I shout so he can hear me as we drive. "Some people are trying to stop them! I assume they're with Liam!" He replies angrily and runs his hand through his hair. "I was with them and then sped up! They should be here in a few minutes! Is he injured?!" "Yeah, I shot him twice but –" The sound of a car makes me look back to see one hurtling towards us. "Fuck, that's him! Go!" We accelerate but Judah stays behind me which only adds to my worry. My gaze darts back and forth between him and the road ahead. Aria yells out when Liam starts firing at Judah's car and my heart pounds in fear. He must have had another gun in the house, I think to myself. I can see Judah duck down and block Liam from getting ahead. Swerving left my eyes widen in horror when I hear Judah cry out. I narrow my eyes and realize he's clutching his shoulder. A bullet must have grazed it when Liam shot through the rear windscreen. "Mum!" Aria whimpers fearfully as I speed ahead. "Just stay down!" The moment we get to the second left turn Liam runs into the side of Judah's car. I watch in horror as he loses control and slides into the field. Liam stops his car and rushes out which makes me slam down on the breaks. It's only now I hear the sirens going off and notice the police cars turn onto the road. They won't get here in time though and I need to do something now. "Stay inside Aria. Don't come out." I order before grabbing the gun and sprinting to them. "Liam! Don't shoot!" He smiles darkly at me and I know he isn't going to listen. Judah slides out from the driver's window before he can open the door. Liam runs around the front of the car and shoots him just as I fire. Both fall to their knees and uncontrollable tears stream down my cheeks. "No, no, no! Judah!" I half yell, half sob as I lay him on the ground in front of the car. "Oh my god!" The bullet clearly entered his chest, a little bit away from his heart but it's still a fatal wound. I hurriedly take off my jumper and press down on it to help stop the bleeding. He groans in pain which only makes me cry harder. It's all my fault. "I-I'm so sorry Judah! Shit, hold on okay?! The police are here, we'll get you to a hospital!" I cry before glancing at Liam. "You fucking prick!" Liam chuckles although it's strained. He's wrapped his clothes around his wounds tightly to stop the bleeding but I honestly don't know how he's fighting past the pain to keep going. "If you had just come with me Charlie this wouldn't have happened. He got hurt because of you." "Yeah...not true. Stop being annoying and just die already mate." Judah grunts as he turns his head to glare at him. I extend my leg and kick Liam's gun far away from us just in case he tries anything again. His eyes narrow on me before he smirks. My eyes widen in panic when he tries to sit up and I frantically glance at Judah. I need to stop the bleeding but when Liam pulls out the knife he used on me earlier I reach over to grab my gun. I scream and move away quickly when he tries to cut me. Gritting my teeth, I meet Judah's eyes when he cries out in agony. He tries again only for a bullet to graze his hand which makes him scream. I look back to see multiple officers running up to us before they take Judah. "Let's get him in the car!" One of them says as they rush towards the nearest one. "Aria!" I yell and she jumps out before running to me. "We're coming with you. He's bleeding and I can put pressure on it." "Get in." He nods and I put Aria in the front before hopping in the back. I sit by his legs and resume pressure on his wound. "What took you so long?!" "I'm sorry miss Davidson." He meets my gaze apologetically from the rear-view mirror. "It seems Liam called some people from the trafficking ring he works with to stop us." I sigh and turn back to Judah who's staring at me from half closed eyelids. "I'm sorry Judah." "Don't be – shit!" He swears hoarsely as the car goes over a bump. "Not your fault. Mine." "Just please stay awake, okay?" I sniffle as uncontrollable tears slip down my cheeks. "How long officer?!" "Ten minutes!" He replies just as we enter a town. "Charlie..." He chuckles breathlessly and I meet his gaze. "I don't think I can." "Judah! Stay awake!" I yell as I slap his cheek. "Judah!" His eyelids flutter before they open wide. I almost sigh in relief but they flutter again before fully closing. Panicking I check on the wound to see that the bleeding has slowed down before pressing down again. It seems like hours before we reach the hospital and there's already nurses ready with a stretcher. I rush inside right up to the operation theatre before realizing I need to stay outside. Sighing I take Aria's hand and walk back to the officer who's talking to another nurse. She sends me a reassuring smile before walking inside the operation theatre herself. The officer, whose tag reads Luis, sits down on the seats opposite us.