Free Me Forever

He couldn’t get there. He would be too late. He tried running faster but his feet were as heavy as cement. He couldn’t move. His breathing grew ragged and sweat dribbled down his face. He clenched his fists. If she died, he’d kill whoever touched her. The man beating her and putting the rope around her neck turned at his yell. His heart dropped as the man’s face registered. It was him. He was the one hurting her. He was the one killing her. “No!” He cried. He shook his head and tried to reach himself. He was the reason Nicole was about to die. And he couldn't stop himself. “Stop!” He tried desperately to make his feet move, but they remained firmly in place. He saw himself place the rope around her neck. Her terrified blue eyes pierced him. They weren’t what he thought they would be. She didn’t look as scared as she was angry. Hatred poured from her once trusting eyes. And he had taken that trust away. He had replaced that unwavering trust with hatred. It was all his fault. The rope tightened. Her scream rent the air. He lunged forward.“No!” Wynn sat up, panting for breath. Sweat coated his body. He glanced around. Where was he? Was that just a dream? Or had he truly killed Nicole? “What have I done?” He cried as he lowered his head into his hands. A lady in a blue outfit came in. He didn’t look up. He would take whatever punishment she would give him, and take it with dignity. He deserved the worst punishment ever. He had destroyed the one and only person he had ever loved. And now, she was gone from him forever. He had no hope of ever regaining that trust or the life that he had taken. He felt a presence approach his bed. “Mr. Sinclair? Are you alright?” He shook his head. Tears squeezed through his hands that were tightly pressed to his eyes. “Is your wound hurting?” He shook his head again. Wait, wound? What wound? He felt the lady try to gently lay him back down against the soft pillows, but he refused to be moved. “Leave me alone.” He whispered. “Just tell me what my punishment is.” He felt more than saw the lady frown. “Punishment? Your in the hospital, Mr. Sinclair. You were shot. And you lost a lot of blood.” He looked up this time. His mind registered the scene before him. Well, of course he was in the hospital. That's what the alcohol smell was. He looked back at the nurse. “W-why was I shot?” She smiled and shrugged. “I can’t tell you that. I don’t know myself. It was a pretty nasty wound though. Tore most of your chest up. Now, you really must get some sleep.” He shook his head and brushed her hands off his shoulders. “I can’t sleep, I have nightmares.” She nodded, pity shined in her eyes. “Well, then. Just lie back and rest then. No need to sleep.” He leaned back against the fluffy pillows that propped him up. A knock sounded at the door. A man with a long white robe looking thing entered. The doctor? The man cleared his throat. “An officer is here to see you with two young ladies.” Wynn nodded. “They can come in.” “You're up to see visitors?” Wynn tossed his hand out. “I have nothing better to do.” The doctor stuck his head into the hall and motioned for the people to enter. One of the officers from the station entered along with Nicole and…Wait…Nicole was alive? His eyes held hers for a brief moment. But wariness, distrust and hate still marred her beautiful blue eyes. The other lady stepped up. He’d seen her somewhere. He couldn't quite place her. “W-who are you?”