Rain tried to focus in the light, but it was impossible. Time fell still as she heard clearly the words that were spoken next.

    "Kill her."

    Rain's eyes were wide as her heart sank like a stone. Against her will, she was suddenly pushed to her knees.       

  Her jaw trembled, unsure of how to react for her world was suddenly spinning too fast for her to utter a word. She heard the loading of a gun and felt the barrel placed at her chest. Her heart screamed and immediately her Master acted for her. Baring his fangs, the low rumble in his throat erupted into a resonating growl. The sound was consuming, it rose in her ears like a lion's roar, drowning out everything else around them. With monstrous strength, he twisted his body against the grips of unknown hands. Swinging his arms violently to the side, he threw the ones that held him to the ground.

    "You will not touch her!" He roared, rushing to her. The hands that held her dropped away in sudden fear at her Master's approach. Shielding her with his own body, his form now stood between her and the armed soldiers. 

    A gunshot split the still air and her Master's arms stiffened momentarily. Looking up at her Master's face, Rain felt the electric shock of pain run through their connection.

    'Silver,' she heard his mind's voice gasp. He stumbled forward, a struggled breath escaping his lungs. He looked down at Rain's face, straining to see her in his arms. He bent his face forward, kissing her forehead. As his cold lips pressed gently against her skin, Rain's heart sank in fear.

    His weight became heavier and she could not gather enough strength to hold him up. With her back against the bridge's stone railing, Rain could not overpower his weight. 

    'Run.'