They pulled away from each other for a brief second, but in that second, Micah noticed the red dot that blinked rapidly on Mariana's forehead.

His eyes widened in alarm as it suddenly disappeared when he shouted, "get down!"

Without warning, he pulled Mariana to the ground when a random bullet shot above them, barely missing her head, and collided with the brick wall behind. It caused a massive explosion as its foundation fell apart, with rocks breaking off like falling stars, and a cloud of dust bursting in the air.

Mariana screamed as some debris descended upon them like fog and the sound echoed within her ears, as well as the ground under them shook like an earthquake.

"What was that?" She exclaimed in great alarm. An agitated pulse tightened around her head like bands of her beating heart. She coughed out some of the dust that rolled off her tongue like crusty sand.

"I think it came from over there." He got up and then went to the low brick wall that was opposite them. It had a bush resting on top of it that concealed what was lurking behind.

He examined it closely and searched around for anything suspicious. He noticed some leaves were being eaten off by a small piece of fire and a wisp of steam revealed a tiny hole.

Meanwhile, Mariana was still crouched on the ground, hugging her knees as she rocked back and forth with eyes wide open. She stared at the pebbles as her body felt frozen. That bullet just came out of nowhere, so out of the blue, just like that bullet that hit Micah instead of her...

She was suddenly pushed to the side as the bullet drove past her. Mariana stopped herself from landing face down on the floor as something warm splattered across her back.

When she turned around, she screamed in horror as she saw Micah stumble backward, clutching his chest.

There was a dark stain painted on his shirt and across his face. When he removed his hand, blood as dark as wine covered his whole palm.

He hissed as he leaned up against a wall. Mariana quickly rushed to his side.

"Micah!" She leaned and propped him up. Micah fidgeted in pain and clenched his fists while sharply sucking in air.

Mariana unbuttoned his shirt and where the bullet hit, a torrent of blood flowed out as his chest heaved up.

"No Micah... no....no...no," she panicked and tried to steady him with her shaky hands.

Micah coughed out blood profusely, his breaths were sharp, and his chest was filled with excruciating pain.

This time was just like that night on the boat. That day she almost lost her Micah. Sometimes, she still blamed herself for what happened, even though Micah had never blamed her for anything, but no matter where she went, trouble seemed to follow her relentlessly.

Without warning, warm tears started to slide down her face. She had never wanted her mind to return to that night. She had never wanted to remember the way his lifeless body looked. Even now, she shook her head to get that image out. Thinking about that was having a pin needle driving through her heart, for she didn't want to imagine losing Micah again.

"I can't find anything," he said and came back to her. His eyes gazed down at her despondent figure. He felt pity because she looked really affrighted due to her unconsolable shaking.

She was sniffing her nose like crazy as she couldn't stop her crying. All she could think about was Micah getting hurt again. She didn't want him to die, she didn't want him gone for good.

She shook her head again, faster this time, as her eyes tightened so hard because she didn't want that to become a reality.

"Do you want to go home now?" He suddenly suggested as he stretched out his hand for her.

She looked up at him, her head suddenly felt heavier, like her neck was being pulled down by weights, as she became more tired.

The moon appeared like a halo around his head, she almost saw a thin outline around him. He cared so much about her, it was almost unimaginable. And all she did was put him in danger half the time.

"Alright." She grabbed hold of it and pulled herself up. She sighed as she suddenly felt guilty and that their evening was ruined.

"Come on, I'll take you home." He gently led her away as they started walking towards his car.

Mariana nodded and kept her head to the ground as she had just been grounded. She was still sullen that their beautiful night had to end in such a desolate state. They didn't even get to finish their kiss, which was what made it feel more incomplete.

Oh well, maybe next time.

They reached Micah's car and got in. He started up the engine and then started driving towards her home while she rested her head on the window, looking drearily at the stars.

****

The next day, Mariana was sat on her bed, slouched, and resting on her arm as she was trying to do her article. She stared motionless at the screen with an emotionless expression.

She couldn't stop thinking about last night and how she almost got hit by that bullet. Why would someone want her dead? She just wanted peace and to live her life and move on from last year.

Although she was unsure, she had a feeling this was something to do with Electra since she hadn't heard from her for a while, but if that was true then how?

Maybe it was her that pulled the trigger or it was someone else that she may have hired? If that was so, then Electra is just insane at this point.

She sighed and tried to write something but her mind was just not in it. She closed her laptop because it was evident she wasn't going to get anything written down, and even if she did, it wasn't going to be the best of quality so it was better if she took a break.

Her left side hit her bed as she went on her phone. She started scrolling through Instagram and found some funny videos that managed to cheer her up a little bit.

All of a sudden, Micah sent her a text. She was surprised because it was unusual for him to text her at this time but she opened it anyway.

Bubba❤️❤️❤️: Hey sorry about how last night ended, I hope you're not too worried.

Mariana: It's alright, I'm still a bit sad though.

Bubba❤️❤️❤️: Yeah I thought so, that's why I wanted to know if you would like to come to my family's party this Sunday. 

Mariana: Oh that sounds nice, sure I'll come. Do you want me to bring anything?

Bubba❤️❤️❤️: You can bring some refreshments if you like.

Mariana: Alright, I'll see you then🥰.

She put her phone on charge and with her new-found strength, she got back to her article and started writing again. She was now feeling slightly better as if Micah's message was that little energy boost she needed because now, she had something to look forward to.

When she had finished some hours later, she was feeling okay, not fully happy, but just okay that it was enough for her to have a simple smile on her face.

She put her laptop away and started getting some snacks out and a blanket for when Elena arrives. She had Rio keeping her company as he played with his toy mice and rattling balls.

Once everything was set up, she spent the remaining time doing some cleaning. She started vacuuming the living room and around the kitchen. It took her to the moment that she heard a knocking on her door. She placed her vacuum cleaner back in the kitchen and went to answer it.

"Hey!" She said when she opened the door to Elena.

"Hello!" Elena wrapped her arms around Mariana, pulling her into a tight hug.

Mariana opened the door a bit wider and allowed her in.

They sat together on the couch and Elena got out the food she brought and put it on the table.

"I brought some cookies this week," Elena announced as Mariana went to Netflix.

"Ooh, yummy." She was happy to hear that since having some cookies will surely raise their mood.

They started watching a thriller movie as Mariana had most of the blanket wrapped around her. She planned in her head that tomorrow she will go to the store and buy some drinks to take to the party on Sunday.

But for now, she will enjoy her weekly movie evening with Elena.

A/N: Hey I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Who remembers when Micah almost died in book 1😂?