Unstable

When Elias wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close, I held him tightly.

He wanted me to end this. To stop hurting him and the people he cared about.

But I couldn't.

I was in too deep.

"Please stop," he whispered into my hair. "Please Veronica."

I shut my eyes.

Then pain exploded in my head. I pulled away from him, feeling something wet slide down my temple. I reached up. Blood coated my fingers. My vision blurred and swayed. Then I dropped to the floor, my arm outstretched, trying to grab the still smoking gun.

In the distance, or maybe it was in the darkness of my mind, I heard him speak.

He apologized.

Then he was talking to someone.

He'd called them, and they would be here soon.

The police.

It really was over.