Chapter 266 - 266: Please Stay Alive

The joy and relief Erick had felt upon seeing Elle immediately dissipated into thin air the moment he heard those gunshots. It seemed like his heart jumped out of his chest when he saw Elle fell on the ground in front of him.

He wanted to call her name but the words were stuck in his throat. He couldn't utter the words. He was in shock. The fear and horror were evident to his eyes.

The rest who witnessed what had just happened was also in shock. Bryan's eyes widened in fright.

'Elle has been shot!' He thought to himself then he involuntarily turned only to see Erick's pale face. He was looking at Elle with grave expressions on his face.

Erick felt the panic like a cl.u.s.ter of spark plugs in his abdomen. Tension grew in his face as his mind kept on replaying the recent scene. His mind was screaming Elle's name inside, his breathing became more rapid and his heart was racing faster.

'She's hurt! She's bleeding! She needs me. I need to be there!' 

When Erick recovered from the shock, finally he was able to move. He had the urge to run towards her but Sarah held onto him tightly.

"Son, where are you going? Just stay here with us." 

"Mom, please let me go. I need to go to her." Erick said to her pleadingly.

He didn't have time to explain. Now he didn't care what his team would think about this. All he wanted to do was to go to Elle and save her.

Hearing the desperate plea of her son and the worried expression on his face, Sarah let him go.

"Chief Lee!"

"Chief Lee!"

Others called him out anxiously. They had no much time left. They must leave or else they would also be caught in the blast once this ship would explode.

Bryan tugged his hair. Now, he was having a headache. Then he remembered what Elle had asked him before and their conversation.

[ Elle: "It's about Erick. Can I entrust him with you? Will you always be there for him and be his support?" ]

[ Bryan: "Of course. Is that only what you want? You don't need to ask me that. I am willing to do that even if you don't ask me. I am his best friend, remember?" ]

[ Elle: "Then I will be at ease knowing that someone like you is on his side. Can you keep him safe during this rescue mission?" ]

[ Bryan: "I will make sure to protect him this time. I don't want the past incident before to happen again. I failed to protect him when we were going after Black Shadow. I blamed myself for not able to do something for him. I don't want to experience it once again." ]

[ Elle: "Thank you, Bryan. I will leave Erick in your care. I believe in you." ]

After reminiscing their conversation, Bryan followed Erick in a rush. When they were a few meters away from Elle, Captain Jason appeared as he emerged from the exit door.

They saw him bent down and checked Elle's pulse. Erick felt like his world had crumbled upon seeing the unconscious Elle lying on the floor, bleeding.

He was about to run to her when suddenly they heard another gunshot coming from the exit door. Captain Jason immediately rolled down to dodge the bullet. After that, he stood up and ran towards Bryan and Erick's direction.

"What are you doing here! Go now! Move quickly. We have no time left!" Captain Jason yelled at them.

But Erick ignored his warning as he continued to run towards Elle. However, Captain Jason quickly grabbed him.

"What are you trying to do Erick?! Our mission here is done! We need to go!" Captain Jason exclaimed to him using his stern authoritative voice.

"I said I Am Not Leaving Without Her!" Erick spat back at him, not minding their positions.

"Are you insane?! You also want to die with her. It's too late now. She's dead! Let's leave now. Your parents are there at the boat, waiting for you."

Bryan was just standing on the side. He didn't have the courage to interrupt those two men. Clearly, they were having an argument.

"W-What did… y-you say?" Erick said upon hearing Captain Jason's statement.

With his serious expression, Captain Jason repeated his statement.

"I said she's dead! Even if you stay here you can't save her. It's too late now, Erick!"

Erick let out a humorless chuckle after hearing that. "You're lying! She's not dead. Let go of my hand, now!"

Bryan looked at Erick worriedly. He could see that Erick was about to go mad because of his deep concern toward Elle. At this moment, he wouldn't listen to anyone.

Captain Jason turned to look at Bryan. He gave him a signal. From that stare alone, he could understand what Captain Jason was planning to do.

He would bring Erick back to the ferry boat even if he needed to use force. And now, he was asking Bryan to cooperate with him. 

Bryan didn't know what to do. This situation was also driving him nuts. He also wanted to save Elle but keeping Erick safe was his main priority. He also promised her to protect him no matter what.

With that thought in mind, Bryan made his decision. He turned to Erick and told him something.

"Buddy, I am sorry," Bryan mumbled.

Erick looked at him confusedly. Captain Jason grabbed that opportunity to knock him down when he was still distracted by Bryan's statement. Captain Jason hit him on the back of his head.

Bryan quickly caught Erick before he fell down. Before Erick completely lost his consciousness he still managed to stretch his hand towards Elle's direction as if he was trying to reach her as he took one last glimpse of her.

'No! No! I must stay awake! I should go to her and save her. Elle! Please….wait for me… wifey, please… stay alive.'

A single tear rolled down from the corner of his eyes before complete darkness took control of him.