notion • john murphy

44 - PROBLEMS

   Sayah's lips parted as she glanced down to Luna's hand in her own. Oh. She was doing the exact same thing.

"Still not going to kill her?" Luna's voice was in her ear and Sayah could feel her breath hit her neck. She nearly shuddered. She opened her mouth to speak but the words died in her throat as Murphy's eyes met hers.

   And Sayah couldn't believe it—she really thought she was dreaming—because she watched Murphy's lips turn up into a taunting smirk.

   The bastard knew what he was doing.

"Tempting," Sayah murmured to Luna, her voice sounding awfully lost and monotone as she watched a clueless Emori attached to a victorious Murphy make their way over to the group. Sayah bit the inside of her cheek as her and Luna followed after them.

The group made their way up a small hill, where suddenly a loud buzzing noise could be heard. "What is that?" Miller asked.

"Drone?" Murphy questioned, hand slipping out of Emori's as he glanced up towards the trees. He was right, a drone hovered above them, beeping strangely.

"We should run." Emori said quickly, eyes darting around nervously as she almost seemed to bounce on her toes, ready to move if need be. Sayah assumed that was second nature to her; being ready to run at a moment's notice.

"Why? What's the penalty for crossing the line?" Raven questioned, voicing everyone's thoughts. But no one had time to answer before one of the guards were shot in the head. None of the group hesitated and began to sprint. Sayah felt Luna's hand in hers and the two girls rushed along with the others.

"Cover Luna! Cover Luna!" Sayah heard someone yell but she didn't turn to see who. Her mind and her heart raced as gunshots sounded. The drone shot in between the group, causing them to split up. Luna, Sayah and Nyko went one way while the others went another.

They ran before the drone was suddenly in front of them and Sayah's eyes widened. "No!" She heard and suddenly she was squished in between Nyko and Luna. She heard multiple gunshots and suddenly the drone was down—Sayah couldn't tell if it was falling or just flying away but she didn't care, because Nyko had fell to the ground, blood coating his chest and lips.

"No, no, no—" Sayah rushed out as her and Luna crowded him, shaking him. "Nyko!"

"Sayah, Luna, take cover!" Sayah could hear yelling and maybe that was Miller shooting—she only watched as Nyko's eyes fluttered closed. "Sayah!" She knew that was his voice but she didn't look away from Nyko's still body in front of her. "Get off of me! I'm not letting her die out there—" The voice was faint as Sayah watched a trickle of blood race down Nyko's cheek from his lips.

"No!" Luna was shaking him and Sayah couldn't breathe. Not Nyko. He was part of her family—he had always been there, he couldn't go. He couldn't leave her like Lincoln did. "No, no— Please—"

"Sayah," Luna was close to her and suddenly Sayah was being lifted on her feet, arms were around her waist, and she was moving. She was leaving Nyko laying there, alone and going cold like some forgotten meal. It was Luna, she could tell by the way she held Sayah's body so gently.

"We have to get out of here." Luna's hand was back in hers.

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