Abigail
The gunshot rang out through the warehouse like thunder.
"Abigail!" Annette shrieked, tears slipping down her bruised face. "Abby, no-"
I rolled off Gavin, breathing heavily, patting myself hurriedly. No wound?
"You... bitch..."
Gavin’s body slumped to the floor, blood already pooling rapidly from the wound in his stomach.
His eyes widened in shock, mouth opening and closing silently as he stared down at the growing red stain on his shirt. Annette and I screamed.
We scrambled backward, hearts pounding, the bat clattering to the ground as we put distance between the bleeding man and us.
Gavin coughed, blood bubbling from his lips, his hand pressing weakly against the wound as if that could stop the life draining out of him.
Oh my god. Oh my fucking gosh. Did I... did I shoot him? I was so angry that I had no idea what had happened, but we had been struggling for the gun.
He was going to kill Annette and me. He was going to kill my best friend. I had to do something.
"Abby..." Annette gasped, voice trembling. She was bleeding from her face and side, but she was alive.
I rushed to her, gathered her into my arms, holding her so tightly I was probably hurting her. Sobs tore from my throat as I buried my face in her hair.
"I’m sorry," I cried. "I’m so sorry, Annie. This is all my fault. He came for me, and you got hurt because of it. I’m so fucking sorry!"
"You’re okay, oh my god you’re okay, I thought he shot you," she cried, clinging to me back just as fiercely, her entire body shaking against mine.
"I’m so sorry. I’m a horrible friend. I never should have gotten you involved in this," I sobbed, the cries tearing through me. "What would I do if you died? God, Annette, what the fuck would I do?"
"You’ll become Batwoman to avenge my death?" she mumbled against my chest, and I groaned.
"Really? You’re making jokes right now?"
"I’m fine, Abby," she rasped. "I’m okay. We’re both okay. Stop that. This isn’t your fault."
I drew back slightly, cupping her bruised face, tears streaming down my cheeks. The guilt was crushing me. My best friend, the person who had stood by me through every single thing, was hurt because I wouldn’t let my parents’ case die.
I searched her for bruises and winced when I saw a huge swelling wound on her head. That must be where all the blood in the apartment was from. "Hospital. We have to get you to the hospital."
"What about the phone?" she sniffed.
"Who cares?! Let’s get you to the hospital!" I scoffed, and Annie stepped away, slapping my wrist.
"That phone is on him. I am not getting beaten up for nothing. Go take the damn phone, Abby. It’s right there, and we can finally get answers to all your questions."
I glanced at Gavin, who was sprawled on the floor, blood pooling around him.
She was right. Wiping my face roughly, we approached Gavin carefully. He was still breathing, but barely, his eyes glassy as he stared up at the ceiling.
I reached into his jacket pocket and drew out the familiar phone. My hands were shaking so badly that I almost dropped it. We both stared down at him for a long moment.
"Should we call the police?" Annette whispered.
This asshole, who had murdered Detective Cole, had tried to kill me and had just beaten my best friend.

We used a payphone a few blocks away to call 911 anonymously, reporting the shooting at the warehouse.
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