Chapter 21

• The shot was so loud, and it echoed across the open space. So loud that Emma didn’t even hear the shotgun itself as a distinct sound; instead it was the bell-like ringing as the sound echoed.
• She didn’t feel pain or an impact. But the shot was fired at her. She knew something had happened, but her mind hadn’t quite caught up with it yet. She didn’t have any throbbing tingling like she had been shot. She could hear her heart pounding, but she somehow doubted she was alive. She slowly peeled her eyes open, and she saw the most unimaginable thing.
• Clyde was standing a few meters from her, shielding her from the gunshot. She didn’t know how he managed to get in front of her so quickly, but he had blocked the shot. He had taken the bullet for her.