2. Allison

I could hearthe voices of those men; their Russian language made their identity clear. The sound of a woman's screams pierced the air; I couldn't stay in here knowing someone needed my help. Glancing at the nurse and the four patients we had managed to get into the break room, I felt a surge of determination.

"Stay put; I'm going to go out there and see who needs my help," I declared, my voice quivering as I made my way to the door. I couldn't stay hidden when someone needed help. The bastard was trying to rape Sandy, one of the nurses on the floor. She was also Steel's cousin. Instinctively, I grabbed an object from the nurse's station and hit him on the head, but it didn't seem to bother him.

He remained unfazed, towering over me. I was used to men who towered over me; all of my brothers were huge. This guy wasn't as imposing as Ghost. There I go again, measuring every man I saw to Ghost. Now, I probably would never see him again because I was pretty sure I was about to die.

The man wrapped his hand around my throat and picked me up in the air; his grip tightened around my throat, and I was having a hard time catching my breath. My hands swung to hit him, and then Sandy jumped on his back, and he threw her off.

Blinking to clear my vision, I caught a glimpse of Ghost through the window; his expression contorted with rage. The shattering of glass accompanied his arrival, and as I was thrown against the wall, Ghost's powerful fist connected with the Russian's face.

I helped Sandy up off the floor; she remained shaken and tearful, urging her to seek refuge along with the others. "Sandy, lock yourself in the nurse's breakroom with the others. Is there anyone else here?"

"Yes, they're in the radiology room. Come with me," Sandy replied, her voice trembling.

"No, I'm going to help Ghost," I insisted, pushing her toward the break room. He might not need my help, but I wasn't going to take any chances that man had a knife or gun.

Despite our estrangement, my feelings for Ghost remained unchanged; the memory of discovering him in bed with another woman was still fresh in my mind, even though it was six years ago, extinguishing any hope of reconciliation. At least, that's what I kept telling myself.

Ghost, whose real name is James Belmont, earned his name in the Delta Force Team. His sister Carrie, my closest friend, served as an unspoken link between us. The pain of our shattered engagement, six years ago, lingered, compelling me to leave the mountain where Ghost lived. While I missed my home and family, the anguish of seeing Ghost daily had become unbearable. I yearned for a love like I once had with Ghost.

He strayed, and I wasn't forgiving him, I kept telling myself. They both woke up when I screamed, with the woman running off naked as the day she was born, and Ghost pretending not to know how that woman ended up in his bed.

I saw the Russian reach for his boot and saw the gun; before I could intervene, I heard the sickening sound of the man's neck snapping. Ghost stood up and looked at me.

That's when we heard boots running. I quickly wondered how they got in when we had the floor locked down and the doors locked. "Run," Ghost whispered as he ran toward whoever wore those heavy-sounding boots. I grabbed the gun from the dead man's boot and followed quietly. I saw two men laugh when Ghost stopped and smiled at them.

Doesn't he realize he's pissing them off? They came at him at the same time, and I watched as he kicked their ass. They fought for what seemed like forever; when I saw one of the guys reach for his boot, I knew there was a gun, and I was right. He was going to kill Ghost; I didn't think I didn't have time to; I just reacted.

I didn't see the gun in Ghost's hand; I only saw the gun pointed at him and the man smiling. I fired the gun I had and shot the man. I hit his arm, and I heard Ghost shout before the man turned and shot me four times.

I don't know what happened after that, and I didn't hear Ghost screaming for help or Viper roaring with rage as he tried to save my life.

Everything blurred as I looked around at my departed loved ones. Embraced by pure joy, I beheld the radiant essence of our souls, illuminated like stars; the feeling was so wonderful I only felt happiness. Suddenly, the cries of Viper and Ghost shattered the serenity, dragging me back to agonizing consciousness; my body wracked with pain as I drew breath once more.