Content Warning: Blood
An excerpt from the personal diary of Ellie Duberry Sprague:
When I went to school to become a writer, I never thought this was what I’d have to put down on paper. You could easily call this the worst day of my entire life.
But that isn’t where I wanted to begin…
Upon meeting Holden, I felt my life shifting off course yet I did not resist because it was so, so pleasant. He was easy to talk to with a sincerity in his eyes you don’t often see in a newcomer to Winchester. It’s not that people who visit the island tend to be standoffish. It’s quite the opposite. The residents of Winchester don’t usually take kindly to outsiders. Most of the people on the mainland know this and don’t bother us except to buy our crops and other goods.
It was different with Holden, for the most part, because we were expecting his arrival. His grandparents Matthieu and Blue Larochette are prominent residents and he was coming for a three-month visit. Something happened in his life from which he needed a brief escape and I was all too happy to see him every free minute I had to offer my friendship.
He wasn’t very good at typical farm chores at first, but he was strong and a fast learner. I admired the tenacity in his blue-gray eyes when he was learning something new. As it so happened, I found out he was a ballet dancer and very physically fit, although the obsession he seemed to have with exercising didn’t always seem very healthy to me. Of course, I never said this to him because he was so serious about it all.
Now that I’ve seen him dance, I have a new understanding of the ordeal he puts himself through in order to perform this exquisite art. Hearing the symphony play and watching his graceful yet demanding dancing, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.
I might be getting a little ahead of myself again, though.
After he left the island and returned to Fortress Rock, all I did was think about him. I wasn’t ready to be in a serious relationship yet and the thing I wanted most was to prove to myself that I could move to the city, take writing courses, and support myself. I know Holden was disappointed I didn’t contact him right away and for that I’m sorry.
The only thing I can say about that time in my life is that I was afraid of being tied to someone before I had the chance to meet other people and to be on my own. I had too much I wanted to do. This didn’t stop me from dating another man who was also in one of my classes. I suppose he was easy to date because neither of us were expecting anything long-term.
Besides, I had big, sweeping notions about romance. Whoever I ended up with would have to knock my socks off like no one ever had.
Then, one night, I saw Holden with Zelda. They were so smooth on the dance floor, laughing and snuggling up to each other. I will admit my eyes were turning green that night. It was then, I realized how much he meant to me. But the man I was dating seemed to have become more serious about me. He didn’t deserve to be hurt because of my thoughtlessness, so I kept my feelings to myself.
For as long as I could, that is.
It was only a few months later that Holden took me to the opera house and showed me around. He even danced for me while I stood in the wings. Everything he did wooed me just as I had always dreamed and wanted. It was that night we both realized how much we loved each other and needed to have a life together.
After we were married, Holden was so excited about our honeymoon. He kept all the details to himself, not wanting to spoil it for me. It seemed like everything he did was focused on my happiness. He had a way of making me feel spoiled but worthy all at once. I could only hope I would be just as good to him as the years went by.
Speaking of our honeymoon, I could not have been more delighted. My new husband had taken care of everything! The Christmas cottage was more than charming and the heavy snowfall gave me the feeling of living in a snow globe. If only we could stay here forever, I kept thinking as we built a snowman, took walks, snuggled before the hearth, and spent long hours in each others’ arms.
But my dream vacation was to become a terrifying nightmare before my very eyes. During the trip, Holden seemed preoccupied and even paranoid at times. He often heard sounds that I could easily explain away by wind, animals, or branches tapping the windows. His feelings of isolation and unease were furthered by the fact we couldn’t get a phone signal.
At one point, he even suggested we cut our honeymoon short and make our way to town. As I had done since the beginning when he first thought he’d heard something unusual, I brushed his anxiety away, thinking he just had some strange jitters. He just needed to relax and enjoy our time alone before we had to return to the real world.
During our walk this morning, I tried to distract him so that he might return to his normally easy going self. It was difficult, but before long, his arm was around my waist and we were both laughing and dreaming of our baby’s future.
“I thought you were set on Kyle or Bree?”
I grinned at him and shrugged. “I love those names but they aren’t quite right for our baby.”
He tightened his arm around me lovingly as he gazed into my eyes. “How about Kai or Bea?”
When he looked at me like that, so tenderly and in love, I couldn’t help but agree. “Yes, I like those.”
Nodding in a very pleased with himself way, he kissed me.
If only that kiss could have lasted forever.
All at once, a piercingly loud firecracker noise echoed, ringing unbearably in my ears, and Holden’s body was jerked backward, thudding onto the ground beside me. Gasping, I could only stand there at first as still as a statue. One moment, we’d been laughing and discussing our future baby’s name, in the next, I was bewildered, gazing at my husband who was lying on the ground. His eyes were closed and blood began running from a wound at his hairline.
Slowly, the realization he was injured began to hit me. I sank to my knees next to him, my hand over my face.
Shaking his shoulder, I half yelled and half cried, “Holden! Open your eyes! Can you hear me?”
There was nothing, no response, no acknowledgment of any kind. More tears welled in my eyes, nearly blinding me. What if he was dead?
Then, I saw a small cloud expelled from his mouth which was slack and open slightly. Alive. He was alive.
I gasped again, my brain too sluggish to think of what I should do. My heart pounded against my chest, my pulse raced. Looking around us wildly, my eyes fell on our car. I had to get us out of here and to the hospital.
Racing to the vehicle, my feet sliding in the snow and nearly falling twice, I yanked on the door handle as soon as I reached it. The door squeaked on its hinges as it was flung open. Keys! Where were the keys?
My panic rose and I could taste the bile in the back of my throat as I frantically ran to the house, sliding all over again in my attempts to be fast. The keys were on the coffee table and I scooped them up, barely stopping for a breath before dashing back to the car. Fumbling with the keys, I finally got the right one into the ignition and turned it. The motor made a sick sound as if it was trying to turn over but just couldn’t manage it.
“Come on, come on! Work!” I yelled in vain. “Please!”
I hit the steering wheel with my fists, then turned the key once more.
Nothing.
What am I going to do? my mind screamed inside my head.
I jumped out of the car and could see Holden was still motionless in the snow. Then, I felt fat snowflakes land on my nose and tickle my eyelashes as they began floating from above.
Sobbing again, the trouble we were in sank my heart, filling it with despair. What was I to do now?
I returned to my husband, kneeling next to him again, my jeans now soaked. He had been shot. Who would do that? I began to worry the assailant was still present, hiding somewhere among the trees even though, try as I might, I couldn’t see anyone. What if they opened fire again?
Willing myself to calm down (which only partly worked), I made a mental list, already going through the steps I knew I must do.
Get him inside.
Try to call for help.
Try to stop the bleeding.
Try to wake him up.
Take anything wet off of him.
Try, try, try.
I repeated this mantra to myself as I followed the steps. At the moment, he was alive and I knew if I entertained the thought he might die, I wouldn’t be able to go on.
Getting to my feet, I grasped him under the arms and lifted as best I could. He was so heavy. As his head lolled backward, he groaned, but I took that as a sign that he could be helped. He would be okay. Slowly, panting for breath under the strain, I began to drag him, inch by inch toward the cottage door. I had a fleeting thought that this wasn’t good for the baby, but at that moment, I pushed such things from my mind. My husband was not going to die. He would be okay.
I’m not sure how long I struggled to pull him along. When we finally made it to the door, I used my remaining strength to heave him over the threshold and inside. We rested there for a few minutes and I had just enough room to close the door against the cold. Turning the lock, I peered through the window. I didn’t see anyone but my view was obscured by the frost on the windows and the steadily falling snow.
All I wanted at that point was to cry yet I knew if I started, I wouldn’t be able to help Holden. Exhausted, I leaned over him again. His eyes were still closed and he wasn’t responding to my voice at all. He was still bleeding from the wound at his hairline and I knew I had to get that under control.
“I need to move you again, baby,” I said to him, “I’m sorry.”
It took an agonizingly long time for me to pull him across the floor near the hearth. Once he was situated, I tried to put a cushion from the couch under his head. When I lifted him to slide it underneath him, he groaned again. Not wanting to cause him further discomfort, I gave up on the idea. Frantically, I then searched the cottage cabinets for a first aid kit, which I found. I grabbed all of the towels from the bathroom and returned to him.
Quickly, I shoved some more logs into the fireplace, then I dropped on my knees. Blood was also pooling on the floor underneath him. Reaching my fingers behind his head and moving as carefully as I could, I found another wound. The bullet must have exited there since his body had fallen backward. Gingerly, I turned his face so I could press gauze squares against the wound. I didn’t know how to get it to stop so I taped some of them there and then rested his head on some towels.
With the wound at his hairline, I pressed towels against it, holding down as hard as I could.
“Holden, baby, can you hear me?”
Again, there was no stirring, no response. I sat back on my haunches, my hands covered in my husband’s blood and pulled out my cell phone. No signal.
I was afraid to stand or to turn on the lights because I didn’t know if the shooter was still there or not. There were strange noises all around the cottage and I couldn’t be certain now if they were caused by the wind, branches, or someone who meant us harm.
Sticking to my self-made mantra, I pulled Holden’s wet coat and gloves off as gently as I could. It worried me that he wasn’t groaning anymore when I moved him about. Had he lost too much blood? Had the bullet caused too much damage?
Tears spilled out of my eyes even though I tried to stay strong for us. The situation seemed hopeless. No one was expecting us home yet, so they wouldn’t miss us for a couple days and by then, it might be too late. If only I had a signal.
If only this hadn’t happened.
Hours passed and it grew dark outside, the snow falling harder than earlier. Holden hadn’t responded with even a groan for such a long time and I was trying so hard not to fall into complete despair.
Suddenly, I thought I saw something bright flash and then disappear. I couldn’t be at all certain what it was. Perhaps a flashlight or I’d heard some guns had scopes that reflected like that. But it was nighttime, so I wasn’t sure if that was possible. Daring to leave Holden for a moment, I crawled across the floor, staying as low as I could, to the window.
As before, I couldn’t see anything at all…
An excerpt from the personal diary of Rosetta Sprague:
As a child, I knew a lot of things, the most important being that Holden and I shared a special gift. Shelly Bingham, a close friend, and colleague of Mother and Father knew this and attempted to demonstrate to us how to use that ability. If you were to ask my poor brother, however, he would not refer to this as a gift at all. He might not say anything, and instead, roll his eyes and deny its existence.
I have endeavored on many occasions to help him see the light on this matter yet now, I am convinced it has all been in vain. It is difficult to fathom how someone who is as psychic as he is would abandon any effort to use it. In the past, he seemed to have no stomach for it. I thought he might outgrow that phase but here we are in a dire situation.
It may sound as if I am placing blame on Holden for what has happened. Well, I do not! I love him more than I love anyone else on this planet. I am sure I always will as he is a part of me. My other half.
No, the shooter is to blame and there will be a reckoning for this, believe me. They will pay and it won’t be pretty.
Still, Holden should not have ignored what Ellie termed his “gut feeling.” That sounds disgusting but I understand what she means by this. He has rebuffed any conversation regarding our psychic ability, so instead of listening to his intuition, he now lies in a state near death.
I had an uneasy feeling, all that day that I was certain was in reference to Holden. We have a special connection that can never be broken and while I aspire never to intrude into his thoughts, I could not help but be aware that something was not right. In fact, it felt as if he was invading my mind which was not like him in the least.
It wasn’t until the Leader of the Free World had finished his press conference, though, that it hit me full force. I was sitting in my office at my desk when all of a sudden, I had a blinding headache. It began at my upper right forehead and radiated to the back. It was unrelenting as it was sudden and I thought I might vomit. Panting, I put my hand to my forehead. It felt as if my entire skull had been ripped open.
After the bulk of the pain subsided, I did not waste a moment. Quickly, I called Shelly. Thankfully, she answered right away.
“Rosetta?”
“Yes, I am concerned about Holden.”
“I am, too. My advice is to go to him as fast as you can manage. There has been an accident or something. I’m not sure.”
Yes, I thought, he has been injured.
Fighting back any irrational thoughts I might have regarding worry or fear, I hung up the phone and called the police. One might wonder how I was able to make them believe me. The simple answer is that I have friends in the police department with whom I’ve worked before.
After I made arrangements with the police, I hurried to my car.
Once we arrived at the cottage, I was very anxious to see Holden face to face. Even though I tried to hold back such feelings, dread had begun to build in me regardless. As I trudged through the deep snow drifts toward the front door, I knew in my heart, he was merely clinging to life.
When I reached the front door, I could see Ellie crouched next to it, trying to see outside. She jumped when she saw me, then reached up her arm to unlock the door. As soon as I entered, I helped her stand. Her breath was coming in gasps and her face was tear-stained.
“I can’t believe you’re here!”
“Shh… shh… it’s all right. There is an ambulance right behind me – you will be able to see their lights at any moment. Where is he?”
Nearly collapsing in my arms, she shakily pointed near the fireplace. My brother was lying on the floor and it was obvious this was even more serious than I could have imagined. For the first time during this entire ordeal, it struck me as surely as if I’d been slapped that I might have to live without him.
Rushing to his side, I dropped heavily next to him, grasping his hand between mine, tears springing from my eyes. “Holden, I heard you. I heard you!” I sobbed. “You’re going to be okay! Please, hold on! I cannot live without you!”
Ellie was hurrying the paramedics over to us, panic ringing loudly in her voice. As if in a nightmare, I slowly stood, Ellie and I holding each other, as the paramedics fought to save my brother’s life.
Author’s Note: Thank you so much, Bee (Stories by Bee), for your lovely poses. If you would like to use Bee’s poses, you can find them here: Poses by Bee.
Thank you, as always, for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting,
Oh no! I had a bad feeling and it was substantiated. This is bad…really, really bad! If Holden survives, this is going to change his life, I’m sure. He will definitely have to go through rehab, and who knows how this will affect his dancing. He may not dance again, which is going to be a huge blow. Maybe now, though, he won’t ignore the gift he shares with Rosetta. Thank goodness for that or she wouldn’t have gotten to them.
Yes, you were right to have a bad feeling. You’re right that if he survives, it will have a lasting impact on his life. Perhaps now, as you said, he’ll realize the gift he shares with Rosetta isn’t a bad thing.
I’m almost glad I’m so far behind so I don’t have to worry about this cliffhanger as much! Oh Holden… Who an earth would have shot him?!
lol Thank you 🙂 Yay to no cliffhangers! 😀 I bet if you kept reading, you know who shot Holden. 😀
I knew they should’ve left! I knew it. But hindsight is always 20/20. Thank goodness for his and Rosetta’s twin telepathy.
He certainly has a long journey ahead of him.
Thank you, Violincat 🙂 Holden never should have ignored that gut feeling he had. It’s a good thing Rosetta was able to clue in on it.
Oh no, I hope Holden will be safe! o.O I’m seriously terrified of what will happen to him, because now that Ellie is pregnant, his legacy obligation has been fulfilled, so anything might happen… I just hope not the worst! :'(
I have a whole new appreciation for Rosetta now btw… Everything I said in the past I take it back. She’s awesome! <3
I wonder who would do such a thing… and the reasons behind it. I hope answers will come soon! :O
Thank you so much. 🙂 You’re so right about his legacy obligation being fulfilled now, so there is reason to worry.
LOL at taking back what you’ve said about Rosetta. I reckon she’s not all bad. She can be unintentionally rude and a bit cold, but she loves Holden. I really do think she’ll be the doting aunt, too.
Answers will come soon, I promise! <3
I expected something bad to happen, but not something so seriously bad! Honestly this situation is scarier to me than anything supernatural, and I think that’s what had me on the edge of my seat, because I expected it to be something supernatural. It’s so crazy that whoever did this planned it out so much, it has to be someone who was looking for revenge. But they didn’t try to kill Ellie, even though she was right there outside for so long, hmm. It just has me curious about who this could be.
You can say whatever you want about Rosetta (and I have lol) but she loves her brother more than anyone else. Major props to her for figuring out what to do in this situation. It’s only too bad that it took her and the paramedics so long to get out to this isolated place. I wouldn’t be so worried about Holden if you hadn’t killed off main characters before. D:
Thank you, Heather! 🙂 I think this situation is scarier, too, really. You’re right about the planning this must have taken to carry out. And that’s a good observation that the person didn’t kill Ellie even though she was outside for so long.
LOL @ saying things about Rosetta. You’re right that Holden is the person she loves most. You’ll see more of this side of her in upcoming chapters. She also has a horribly vindictive side, so perhaps the gunman should hide well. lol
Moi? Kill off a main character? *bats eyelashes innocently 😛
I couldn’t imagine a such terrible event for Holden and the Sprague’s . I hope he’ll survive.
Thank you. 🙂 I hope so, too.
I don’t imagine you ended up with the 5th generation like that.
you are always so amazing and kind… I don’t know how you do all that you do you and you always find the time to look after us all… I wish I was just half as good as you at keeping up with everyone.
doing a story here wouldn’t be the same without you giving us all encouragement you give to us all :)thank you so much Kymber 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much, Darren. You are too kind. 🙂 I get so behind sometimes, like now. lol I began a new save because my game was beginning to lag, and it took a lot longer than I’d anticipated because I completely redid my mods folder. Anyway, I’ve only just gotten to your wonderful chapters and I must say, I found them very enjoyable! You are so creative and have a good sense of humor, too.
Again, thank you so much for your kind words. They mean so much to me. 🙂
HOLDEN! NOOOOOOOO!
This was so shocking! I was expecting something bad to happen but not THIS bad. Oh gosh, I hope he will stay alive. Hold on, Holden (wow, what a bad time to make a pun lol).
The first person I suspected was Brent, if I’m remembering the name of Julie’s husband correct. He’s the only one I think is violent enough to do such a thing. Who knows, though… I’m on the edge of my seat!
What an exciting chapter!
Thank you, Lila 🙂 There are so many suspects yet Brent is top of the list, I’d say. WTG remembering that name, btw! You’re good! lol There are other people I can think of, too. And if it was Brent or anyone else from Holden’s past, why did they wait so long for revenge? I can’t wait for the mystery to unfold!
Oh my goodness, I had absolutely no idea this was coming! You blindsided me. I really really hope Holden will pull through and be able to be around for his wife and children. It would be heartbreaking for them to have to live without him.
Thank you so much, Raymond. 🙂 It would break my heart if Holden died because I really love him, but no promises, I’m afraid.
I just…I can’t…. There are no words.
I actually read this yesterday. I wasn’t able to comment then, and 24 hours later; I still can’t. There really are no words.
I am worried for everyone. I am just thankful that Rosetta didn’t ignore her “instincts”.
Thank you, Stephanie. 🙂 Aww… I’m sorry I left you speechless. It’s a good thing Rosetta is so in tune with everything.
there 2 new chapters on there now 🙂 and 3 more on the way Kymber 🙂 but after that am taking a break… may be some more next year, not sure… life is complicated at the moment, but if not I`m leaving with a good ending 🙂 I’m so happy you are enjoying the story so far 🙂 🙂 🙂
How did I miss this? I know I got really behind on the reader a few times but if I missed new chapters, I apologize because it wasn’t on purpose. I will definitely be heading over to catch up! Your story is really unique and I do enjoy it. 🙂 Also, I can understand needing a break. I take a week off between heirs and, believe me, I look forward to that. lol I hope life calms down for you soon.
what a cliff-hanger… and I loved the picture with the falling snow 🙂 once again a great story Kymber 🙂
Thank you so much 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the chapter and also so glad to see you around. Are you writing your story? I really like it. 🙂
Poor Holden, Poor Ellie. I had wondered if Rosetta and Holden had that twin bond and I was right. Thank goodness!
Thank you so much, Jolie 🙂 The twin bond is there. 😀 I always wondered about that sort of thing in real life. It’s a good thing Rosetta pays attention to that sort of thing.
OHHH MY GOSH .. this was harrowing! He cannot die or the legacy dies!
Thank you, Lisa 🙂 Harrowing is a really good word for it. I suppose if he dies, he has an heir on the way and someone else could write the rest of this gen until the heir can take over. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, though.
My goodness I did not expect that. When things started rustling last chapter I thought it was a wild animal, or something! Who could possibly hate Holden so much they want him dead? I have a theory but I’ll keep it to myself for now… I hope he’s ok 🙁
Thank you so much. 🙂 Who indeed? That is the question. There actually is a long list of possibe suspects. I can’t wait to see if your thoughts were right. 🙂
Oh Goddess 😭
I really hope that Holden at least lives long enough to see his child (and the next heir) come into the world!
If he does survive, which is not a given since the next generation is already on its way, brain injuries can be so dicey. Will he even wake up as the same Holden, or will his personality take a 180??? If he is the same Holden, will he be able to live without dance being part of his life?? I doubt he’d be able to stay a principal dancer after the long rehab he would probably have to go through.
I’m left wondering who would want him dead. Could it be Julie’s ex-hubby? Could it be that (insert swear word here) rapist bitch? Could it be Ellie’s ex, even though he seemed too nice for revenge? Maybe its one of Fletcher’s exes who finally went off the deep-end being compared to the amazing Holden? If Fletch even does that… Maybe one of Rosetta’s political rivals is stiving to hurt her through her twin, since she lets very few people get close enough? Maybe its another dancer who thinks with the lead out of the way, his rise to principal is assured?
So many choices… (insert brain explosion sound here)
Thank you so much 🙂 Oh, yes, that’s a good list of suspects and the same list I have, too. You are so clever to think of all of those motives. Any one of them could be the answer!
We could also probably add that chickie that wanted his DNA for her kid lol I completely forgot her name, was it something with an M?? But, she didn’t really seem to be anything other than mildly disappointed so, I really can’t see her shooting him…
Oh! New suspect: Fletch! Driven by his jealousy at losing the only man he has ever truly loved to a gasp woman, Fletch tracks them down after planning the perfect murder… lol that would be some high drama there lol
Oh, yeah, her name is Myung. Fletch! Yes, yes, yes, they are both on the suspect list. Good thinking!
Thank you so much 🙂 I hope he gets to see his child/heir, too. It would be so sad if he did not.
Your questions are definitely valid. And you’re right about rehab and dancing. I think if he lives, it’s going to be a long, painful road for him.
At least he’d have Ellie to see him through (if he doesn’t fall deep into self-pity and depression and push her away)
This is true. Hopefully, he wouldn’t do that, but I could definitely see it happening.
Wow! Ditto to all above remarks!! The first person that came to my mind, as a possible shooter, is Ellie’s ex boyfriend. I know he was sort of a “milk-toast” kind of person, but those still waters run deep, sometimes, and possibly he’s hiding a very different persona. Anyway, you are making us wait and I will just have to pout!! =( Holden needs to be there for his new family, so here’s hoping he recovers! Rosetta to the rescue, thanks to their twin bond. Thank you for a very dramatic, and suspenseful chapter! ♥
Thank you, Marj 🙂 That’s right! I’d say Ellie’s boyfriend is a definite suspect. He did seem a big milk-toast, true, but like you said, you never know how someone might really be feeing deep down. Good thinking! There are a lot of suspects when you think about it.
Oh, man! I’m so scared and sad and worried ! Also, way to go, Rosetta! Sometimes it pays to be clear – headed !
Thank you so much, CT 🙂 You are right! Rosetta’s clear-headedness was definitely welcome in this instance.
Oh, and uhhh, for once me and Rosetta are on the same page lol. Well, kinda. I told him not to ignore his gut!
Yes, you sure did! And he should have listened, too. Imagine, agreeing with Rosetta! LOL 😀
WHOA! That was exciting! I sat straight up when he got shot lol. I’ve had some thoughts in the back of my mind about seemingly stray comments from Holden in the past. Methinks you may be circling back to those things now. Well done, you!
Thank you, Jess 🙂 I’m very interested in the comments you’re talking about because I think we’re on the same page here. 😀 I will ask you on FB.
A terribly end of a sweet honeymoon at a beautiful place. I’m still out of breath, but couldn’t stop reading.
Please, please Holden, don’t die. The connection between him and his sister has to be very strong and Ellie is acting strong also.
What a dramatic change.
Thank you so much 🙂 You’re right about that. Ellie will never want to go on a trip again, I imagine. I hope you’ve caught your breath now. 🙂 Rosetta and Holden’s connection is what may have saved the day. We’ll see if Holden lives or not next week.
Oh no Kym, you can’t do this to me! :O I was SO SCARED reading this chapter. Because you had an excerpt from Ellie, I realised something bad would probably happen to Holden. Thank goodness for Rosetta. I can’t wait for her to let loose on whoever did this. Aaargh, I can’t believe it’s a whole week before we get more.
This is soooo mean! (But great!)
Thank you, Louise! 🙂 I thought that having the chapter begin with Ellie’s POV might clue people in that something happened to Holden. If it weren’t for Rosetta, I’m afraid Ellie and Holden might still be there. Oh, believe me, too, when Rosetta says there will be a reckoning… she doesn’t joke around. Ever. lol
Wow, I KNEW something bad was going to happen, but I could never expect that Holden would be shoot. Who would do that and why??? Does it maybe have to do anything with The Inheritance? I loved how you described the bond between Rosetta and Holden and I liked seeing both her and Ellie’s POV’s, but still, I hope Holden can make it. He will, right? It’s not the end of the generation and someone has to keep it up… Please, let him live! Oh, Kym, oh why?
Thank you, Jowita. 🙂 Yes, you definitely knew; I remember you commenting about that. Who would do that, indeed? That’s the question here. Holden definitely has made a few enemies in the past. Or it’s related to The Inheritance, as you mentioned.
I’m glad you got a feel for the bond between Rosetta and Holden. No matter how at odds with each other they may be, that bond will always be there, as we’ve seen in this chapter.
I can’t say whether he will make it or not. If he does, it will be a difficult recovery. 🙁
can’t wait, can’t wait. Silly fingers!!
LOL No worries. 🙂
Oh – don’t you dare! I adore Holden and always have. He is going to be okay, but if he survives, will he ever dance again, not likely. He will spend too much time rehabbing. That will kill him. Hopefully Ellie didn’t hurt the baby. They are pretty resilient, but stress can be bad.
Now I a, on the edge of my seat waiting for the next heart breaking chapter. 😭😭😭😭
Thank you, Audrey! 🙂 I’m glad you adore Holden. All I can say is if he survives, you are right that he would be rehabbing hard. Ellie is near collapse herself after this ordeal, but more on that next week.
WOW! I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole time! And I knew what was going to happen since I read it once already, this chapter is that good!
Thank you for not killing off my Ellie! I will say it again many times! This is quite the cliffhanger and now I can wait till you send me the next chapter to read!!!
Love the names!
Thank you, Bee! 🙂 You are so sweet with your kind words.
It didn’t make sense to me to kill Ellie and I felt if I had, it would have been a cheap dramatic stunt or something. Whether Holden survives or not, this moves his story forward and is important to the plot.
I’m glad you love the names! 😀 I thought you would.