Lose my memory

"You got shot "I said to the guy. Wait. I knew his name. "Bonnie."

"Fuck! Jonh , don't let this guy out of your sight "Bonnie said to the bartender. Make sure he's here when I get back."

"You got it," someone behind me replied, but I was too stunned to pay attention. Too engrossed in having just seen Bonnie attack someone, who had grabbed me by the neck and.... Wait. Why didn't I have any bruises? How did I lose my memory?

And where were they taking Bladimir?

I watched as the two boys led Bladimir around the edge of the bar and through a door at the back of the bar. Whatever was going to happen to him next didn't look good. The blond was holding Bladimir's arm high behind his back, and everyone was marching at a brisk pace.

I tried to see Mery , but she was too busy rubbing her ass against someone's crotch to notice my panicked gestures. What the hell! I shouldn't go after those guys, I knew it was a bad idea, but I wasn't going to be able to take it if I saw Bladimir's face on the news in the morning next to a headline about a murder.

I waited until Jonh the bartender's back was turned and I slid out of my seat and headed for the door the others had disappeared through.

It was quieter back here. It must be the staff area or something. The walls were a deep crimson red, and the carpet was black and soft under my shoes. I guess the boss liked sophisticated decor.

There were several doors along the hallway, but I had a feeling those men hadn't entered any of those rooms. I kept walking, ignoring the empty feeling in my stomach, which grew heavier as I walked deeper into the bowels of the building.

I rounded a corner and heard muffled shouts and a crunching of feet. I quickened my pace, following the sounds, forebodings that made my skin crawl.

What the fuck was I doing?

Alcohol definitely helped me make bad decisions tonight.

I turned another corner, but no one was there. My God, how big this place was!

It was no use. I was lost and I couldn't hear those guys anymore.

I should have stayed in the bar like a good boy, chided the voice of self-preservation.

"Fuck you," I snapped back and pushed the bar off the emergency exit door I managed to find.

The door swung wide open. There was a dull thud as it hit something solid.

The grunt that followed suggested it was someone and not something.

"Don't move," someone said. I didn't recognize that voice, but I did recognize the guy I'd hit with the door.

Navy blue pants and blue sweater. "Bladimir? My God, Bladimir! Are you okay?"

"Hanna?"

I took a step forward, but stopped when I realized Bladimir was holding a gun. No. This couldn't be happening. I couldn't be in the middle of a confrontation.

"Shit, I didn't intend for you to follow me "Bladimir growled . "Never mind. It's too late now."

"Put the gun down, Bladimir "said the other guy. I had no idea who he was or where he was, but I could feel him with my eyes. Like a monster about to attack.

"No!"shouted Bladimir . "The bullets are silver. Don't come any closer, I'm warning you."

"I just want to talk, Bladimir ."

Footsteps were heard and my heart skipped a beat as I saw the moment Bladimir decided to shoot. He clenched his jaw, narrowed his eyes and then, with a very gentle finger, pulled the trigger.

So close to the gun, the sound was deafening. It shook me to the bone. I didn't even think. I didn't even stop to think about my safety. I simply lunged toward the man Bladimir had aimed at.

"Stop!" the man shouted and my feet stopped.

I heard Bladimir run off, taking advantage of the distraction to escape the alley and reach freedom. He left me behind to face whatever this was.

Shit. I was going to die.

I threw my hands up as usual, as if I had no weapons, and tried not to throw up. My skin felt cold and clammy, my heart was beating so fast I could feel it pounding in my ribs, and my breathing was leaving me so fast I thought I was going to pass out. How was it possible that I could deal with anything in the ER as calmly as possible, but someone points a gun at me and I'm about to pass out like a goddamn damsel in a fairy tale?

DAMOND

I looked at the guy in front of me. Hands in the air. Rapid breaths. Even faster heartbeats. The thud was distracting, reminding me that I hadn't eaten for a while. It made me nervous. Impulsive. Dangerous.

Bladimir had disappeared again. Slipperier than an eel, that one. But eventually I would find him and tear him to pieces for all the trouble he had caused.

"Please don't kill me "he said in a strained voice.

The guy was human. I couldn't kill him. But I couldn't leave him here. I didn't know if he was in cahoots with Bladimir , or if this was the worst case of wrong place at the wrong time, but I couldn't leave him here.