Chapter 98

I start running.

Most people would run in the opposite direction of gunshots, especially after the police have already been called. I always thought I would have. But I'm either an idiot or braver than I thought or a little of both, because here I am.

When I reach the anatomy lab, I can tell from the window in the door that the lights are on in there. My heart is doing cartwheels in my chest as I peer through the window, trying to see what's going on inside without opening the door. Unfortunately, I can't see a thing.

Just as I'm contemplating my next move, I hear a familiar voice from inside the lab: "Do exactly as I say if you don't want to die."

It's Mason. He's in the lab, and there's someone else in there with him.

I crane my neck, scanning the hallways for signs of the police. Heather called them several minutes ago. How long does it take for the police to arrive? I bet they'll be here soon. Maybe I should wait.

But if I do, it could be too late. Patrice is already dead in the hallway. If someone else dies and I could have stopped it, it will be my fault.

I know what I've got to do.

I take a deep breath and crouch down on the floor. As quietly as possible, I punch in the code that opens the door to the lab and slowly turn the doorknob to enter the room. The second I crack open the door, I can see that Mason has a gun pointed at my classmate, Danielle Stern. The fans in the lab are very loud, and I pray I can sneak in unnoticed and that I don't knock down something on the way inside, giving away my position. I wish I weren't such a clumsy oaf.

I hold my breath as I slide inside the room. I don't look up or even breathe again until I close the door quietly behind me. To my relief, Mason is still pointing the gun at Danielle and has no idea I'm here. I'm not sure if Danielle sees me, but she isn't giving anything away. She's too busy sobbing.

"What do you want?" Danielle whimpers.

I pause, waiting for Mason's answer. "I need you to help me get rid of something… someone…"

My legs quiver and, to my horror, I stumble against one of the tables. Mason whips his head around at the sound. So much for being stealthy.

"Abe?" Mason blinks in confusion. "What are you doing here?"

"Mason, what are you doing?" I hiss, taking a step toward them.

Mason is still holding the gun, but it's no longer pointed at Danielle. I consider taking out the gun in my own pocket, but I worry that's just going to escalate things. And when the police arrive, I don't want to be the guy holding the gun. That's a great way to get shot.

"Her," he says. "She heard the gunshots. I have to get rid of the other witness."

His words cause Danielle's sobs to intensify. She buries her face in her hands, swaying as if she might faint.

"Shut up!" Mason screams at her.

Please stop crying, Danielle. You're just making things worse.

"Mason, you need to put down that gun," I say quietly, knowing it's already too late. Patrice is dead, and I'm scared Dr. Conlon is too. "Seriously, put down the gun, and we'll figure this out."

Mason just stares at me. Wow, he looks really bad, like he's been sleeping in the gutter. How did this all happen right under my nose?

"You trust me, don't you, Mason?" I say. I very slowly move toward him, careful not to make any sudden moves.

"I… I guess so…"

"You need to put down that gun," I repeat.

Mason's shoulders relax, and his hand lowers as I continue to move closer. Thank God, it's working—Mason is calming down.

At that moment, there's a sound from right outside the anatomy lab, and Mason turns his head in the direction of the noise. Even though I've got the gun in my pocket and I have time to use it, I don't want to hold Mason at gunpoint. It won't stop him, and the last thing I want to do is kill my roommate. I don't want to kill anyone ever again.

So I take a risk. I lunge forward and tackle Mason, putting all two hundred and fifty pounds of my weight behind the effort. I may be a clumsy oaf, but I can be fast when I want to be, and before Mason can react, he goes down hard, the gun falling from his right hand. I pin him down before he has a chance to try to get away.

"Abe… what the hell?" Mason manages as he stares up at me. "Are… are you in on it too?"

I don't reply, although I'm not sure what I could have said. I keep him restrained until the police arrive and help me to my feet, and Danielle breathlessly tells them everything that happened. Mason is taken away in handcuffs, mumbling to himself the whole time.

He'll never be a doctor.