TWENTY-FIVE
Get down!” Nathan shouted.
Erin dropped to the ground with Nathan. Holly joined them behind the gravestone.
“Oh no.” She gasped for breath. “This is all my fault. I never should have met you here. I never should have met you at all.” Her voice cracked with sobs and fear.
Nathan inched forward, still using the headstone for protection. “No time to play the blame game. We need to get out of here.”
Erin pulled out her cell and called 911 to report the shooting.
“The police might take too long,” Nathan said. “This gravestone doesn’t provide much protection. You and Holly get somewhere safe until I can catch up. I’ll hold off the shooter.”
As if to emphasize his point, Nathan peeked from behind the stone and fired his weapon.
“Come on.” Erin grabbed Holly’s hand and they ran, darting between gravestones and trees, while Erin kept the cell to her ear. Why did it have to take so long?
Dispatch finally answered and Erin explained their predicament as the two women ran. Nathan continued firing his gun to provide them cover. How had it come to this?
Holly had taken the lead, dashing through the grass, deeper into the trees, and off the paved path. As she kept up with Holly, Erin remained connected to dispatch, though she said nothing more. She kept the line open so the dispatcher could hear what was happening. She didn’t have time to think or contemplate the danger as they tried to find a safe place.
More gunshots rang out. This time from the shooter.
When they’d come to the cemetery, it was still relatively light out, but dusk was deepening along with the shadows. She sent up a quick prayer, memories of another time and place chasing her. Finally, Erin stopped and pressed her back against a thick elm. Holly slowed and backtracked to stand next to Erin, gasping for breath.
“Now what?” Holly’s voice shook with fear.
“We’ll wait here for a few moments. See if Nathan can join us.”
She spotted the gravestone where they’d been moments before, but Nathan was gone. At least no one was shooting.
“Ma’am, ma’am, please respond.”
Erin lifted the cell. “Listen, please send police. I have to hide now, so I’m going to hang up. We have to stay alive until you get here.”
She ended the call, then glanced to Holly. “Don’t worry, Holly. Nathan and I will protect you. Nothing will happen to you.”
“How can you be so sure? Remember, I’ve lost a mother and a brother. Even my brother being a cop didn’t keep them safe.”
Erin regretted her words. How could she make that promise? And Nathan could very well lose his father. She’d only meant to encourage Holly. Her worry for Nathan kicked up several notches.
Holly grabbed her hand. “Come on. I know where to hide.” She pushed from the tree, tugging Erin after her.
Sirens rang out in the distance, but they could be heading to some other emergency. And even if they were headed this way, help was still a good distance away. In situations like this, seconds counted.
Holly dashed forward, and Erin kept close behind while searching the shadows for any sign of Nathan or their attacker. Stopping near an old stone church, Holly crouched near thick vines that grew along the wall.
“What now?” Erin asked. “Are we going to just wait here?”
Holly gestured at the structure. “No, we can hide in the crypt beneath the church.”
The woman dashed around the corner, and once again, Erin followed. At the door, Holly jiggled the handle and stepped inside. Erin entered behind her.
Dimly lit sconces gave enough light in the small chapel, but Erin still didn’t like this. “I’m surprised this place isn’t locked up.”
Holly headed to the back, and Erin kept up with her. On her cell, she texted Nathan to let him know where they were going to hide. He was supposed to be right behind them, catching up, something. She didn’t think his plan had worked out.
If only help would arrive.Still, Holly’s fear of the police was palpable, since she believed that someone within law enforcement couldn’t be trusted.