Melissa shivered as the brisk air outside cut through her clothes, smothering her skin. The moons faint glow remained a whisper in the darkness. A black sedan sat just outside the house, a dark tomb.
Her tomb.
Gabe moved ahead of Brian and Melissa, opening the back vehicles back door. Brian stepped forward to throw Melissa into the backseat.
"Hold it!"
Surprised, all three of them turned. Another man stood in the darkness, a car behind him. In one hand he held a flashlight that blinded them all, in the other he held a raised gun.
"Back away from the car, and let the girl go."

Immediately, Brian released his grasp on Melissa's arm and she ran to the stranger.
"Max," she whispered when she saw his face. He grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him.
"I said get away from the car!" Max yelled.
Brian stood between the open door and the cars interior, shielded by the tinted window. Gabe stood next to the driver side door.
"I'm not sure that's the best idea, until we know who you are," Brian answered.
"I'm not telling you a damn thing! Now get away from the car!"
"I think you have the wrong idea. Me and my partner here are cops. I can show you my badge," Brian reached for his coat pocket.
"Don't do it!" Max ordered.
Brian raised his hands in retreat.
"Alright," he slowly lowered his arms. "You can come grab it yourself."
Brian snuck his hand behind his back and grabbed the cold handle of his pistol. He slipped the weapon from his waistband and slowly raised it behind the dark window.
"I'm not moving! Just get your hands up and move away from the vehicle!"
"What ever you say," Brian laughed. He took a slow step forward, then whipped the gun over the door.
Two, three shots as both guns fired.
A gun landed silently in the snow.
Melissa grabbed the sides of Max's jacket, ducking below his shoulders. Eyes shut tight.
What the?
Melissa opened her eyes slowly as she held out her hand. A dark liquid glimmered from her fingertips. Melissa took a small step backwards, Max turned, his handsome eyes met hers. She scanned down to his chest.
Two holes tore through his shirt, blood trickling from each.
He followed her gaze, and began to shake. She grabbed his shoulders as he fell on his knees. Melissa knelt with him. Tears filled her eyes, her lip trembled.
Snow crunched.
Brian stood behind Max, gun held by his side. He rose it, resting the barrel on the back of Max's head.
"No!" Melissa lunged forward

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