Chapter 20: A Hero Stands His Ground

Erika knelt beside Remy. Cal looked over one shoulder and Asher the over her other as she peeled back Remy’s jacket and the shirt he had on underneath.

He’d lost a lot of blood, despite their attempts to pack the wound and stop the bleeding. His clothes were soaked. And the worst part was that the wound was in his upper chest, not his shoulder like she had hoped. A shoulder wound he may have been able to survive.

He looked up at her, trying to smile. With his good hand he touched her cheek.

“It’s bad, isn’t it?” he asked.

She nodded.

“I knew it was.” His voice trembled. “I don’t have much strength, but I have a little, enough. Let me help you.”

“You still have hope,” she said.

He cut her off before she could go on.

“No. No. And it’s okay. This war has killed many. It will be millions dead before it’s over. What is one more? One tired old man? Let me help you,” he said again. He removed his fingertips from her face, leaving streaks of blood on her cheek that she could feel.