Margaret's body hits the floor and the sound echoes in my head like something breaking.
For a second, I can't move, i just stare as her hands clutch her abdomen, her fingers already slick with blood, her face twisted in shock more than pain. Like she doesn't even understand what just happened to her.
Then everything rushes back at once.
"Margaret!"
My voice tears out of the thought of fthe gun leaves my mind. I'm already moving, already falling to my knees beside her.
The smell hits me first… the thick metallic smell of blood.
"Oh my God… oh my God…"
My hands find hers, gripping them tight, like I can anchor her here just by holding on hard enough. Her skin feels warm…too warm and wet.
"Look at me," I say quickly, my voice shaking but urgent. "Margaret, look at me….pl…please."
Her eyes flutter, trying to focus. She finds me after a second, and something in her expression softens, even now and that almost breaks mw.
