The stars smiled upon us, as if they knew we’d soon join them. We stayed close together on the damp grass, both our wounds seeping with blood. “The stars are lovely tonight,” Sara said hoarsely. I smiled, unaware of the presence just above my head. Ana seemed to take notice, and nudged my side. We were both too exhausted to scream, or appear scared. It seems he’s come back for more. The guy held his gun at Sara’s head and threatened me. “Tell me where the necklace is.” The guy wanted my mom’s diamond necklace worth millions, yet I couldn’t give it up. It wasn’t about the money. If I gave up her necklace, I’d be giving up my integrity with it. I could come up with another lie, but that wouldn’t turn out good.

“Don’t do it. She wouldn’t have wanted this.”

Sara looked over at me, seeming more frightened than she has all night. The necklace was given to our mom by our dad, and she wore it every day since his passing. Once we found out we were being followed and watched, we made her hide it. 

“You can stop this now. Just tell me and nobody gets hurt again”

We both knew we were bleeding out and our time would end soon. I didn’t want to drag this out, but if he didn’t pull the trigger soon, I had no choice. We stayed silent to convey our disobedience. We were going to die tonight, and I’ve already accepted that. I look over to see Sara drifting in and out of consciousness. It seems she’s lost at least 4 pints of blood, and soon she would be gone for good. There was no hope, our phones were dead and we were in the middle of nowhere. Not even a single road nearby. He knew what he was doing, which didn’t surprise me. I figure our bodies won’t be found for days, maybe weeks. And he’ll probably flee the country. He hadn’t been caught for murdering our dad years ago, so I doubt he’ll be caught this time. I wanted him to get justice, but I knew he wouldn’t. I’ve lost all hope months ago, there’s no point in being hopeful now.

“Tell me, or I’ll start shooting.”

“We’re already bleeding out, shooting us would be much appreciated. And I’m not speaking, so give up.”

He rubs his head out of frustration. It seems I’ve put him at a loss for words. He lowers his gun, but keeps the safety off, just in case. I’ve been thinking of a way I could grab the gun. I needed him to lower it, which I’ve already done. “Okay, fine. I’ll tell you where it is.”

He looks up with hope, “Tell me then.”

“I want you to stop Sara’s bleeding first.”

He hesitates before walking over and kneeling down by Sara. He lets out a frustrated sigh and rolls his eyes. As he leans over and puts his jacket on her stomach, I grab the gun from his other hand and aim it at him. I don’t want him to do this to someone else, not again. I bet he gets off to this sick torture.

“You think that scares me? I’m in the mafia for fucks sake!”

He’s trying to hide his fear, but I can tell, deep down, he wants to flee. If I shoot him, which I have no reason not to, then he leaves with nothing, not even a life. His boss won’t be too happy to hear that. Out of the corner of my eye I see Sara grab his knife from his pocket. He walks away from both of us, not bothering to attack. He knows we will be dead soon, but so will he.

I focus on his neck, if I shoot a precious artery, he’ll be out faster than us. Without hesitation, I aim the gun and shoot. Again and again, and I keep shooting until he falls on the ground and I’m sure he’s dead. Sara looks at me and we both smile at each other until we drift asleep, never to wake up again.