Suddenly, a burst of gunfire erupted, sending loud shots piercing the still night air. Even though it was pitch black outside the edges of the firelight, I could see many Red Coats moving in, hiding around us in the forest. Acantha dropped the plate she was holding.
"Acantha, run!" I shouted, pushing her toward safety. Then, everything seemed to happen in slow motion as she reached for her gun, already loaded and ready. She looked up at me with surprise in her eyes, when a bullet pierced her in the back and she fell into my arms. I held her limp, lifeless body within my arms, then laid her carefully on the soft grass and whispered into her ear, "Acantha, hang on!" She was still breathing.
I quite literally saw red and I didn't care who was watching as rage filled my chest. I ripped out
