118 SAVING ZOE

Everyone's jaw dropped open at the horrendous scene.

Mr. Gao was pointing his arrow at Zoe without even blinking.

"R-Raigon?"

Her lips blurted out as her knees wobbled in tension.

"W-why? What did I do?"

She stuttered as she unconsciously stepped backward.

"Do not move!"

Raigon growled which made Zoe froze from head to foot.

She gulped as her heart wanted to escape from her chest to her mouth. 

'Is it because I'm an intruder to Terra? Did the citizens finally catch on? Did they command him to kill me?'

"But you said you will protect me!"

Zoe thought out loud with rage enveloped within the tears that are starting to well within her eyes.

She pulled up her own bow and arrow and pointed it at Raigon.

The crowd almost fell to the floor at the sudden display of the murderous intentions of the people who have just confessed their love a while ago.

"Guys, calm -"

Enzo stood up and was about to mediate between the couples darting dangerous weapons at each other. 

But Raigon stopped him on his tracks with the most authoritative and intimidating voice they have heard. 

"No one dares to move or you'll all be dead!"

He then stared at Zoe, who's still pointing her bow and arrow at him, intending to release it anytime he makes a move.

"Do you trust me?"

Zoe squeezed her eyes as tears were blurring her eyes from seeing him.

As she did so, she remembered all the times he has saved her, even risking his life for her. 

Zo nodded her head and dropped her weapons.

"Close your eyes."

Zoe obeyed and shut her eyes. 

"I trust you."

The crowd responded loudly in defiance to Raigon.

"Stop it this instance! I'm calling the police!"

Erin shouted even though she was sitting on the floor like the others.

But she was calling her phone for rescue.

"Mr. Gao! Don't do this!" 

Kristie stood up and was about to come near them.

But it was too late. Raigon let the arrow fly from its quiver.

Zoe held her breath as she heard it whing.

She waited for it to pierce her heart or any part of her body. But it just passed her by.

"Bang!"

In a fraction of a second, Zoe opened her eyes and swiveled to look at her back where the gunshot came from.

It was too far and she can't see anybody.

"Kristie!"

She pivoted back to the castaways as Kristie was sprawled on the sands.

As quick as lightning, Zoe ran to her side. 

Her shoulder was bleeding as the bullet hit her. 

Zoe's eyes widened in fright. 

"Kristie!!" 

She immediately pulled out her buff and pressed it on the wound to stop it from bleeding.

Most of the castaways fled off from the scene. 

The Norfolks choose to stay behind for Kristie.

"What's happening, Zoe?"

Erin inquired in anxiety.

Zoe was also in panic herself as she commanded them.

"I don't know. Go now! Take Kristie with you!"

"What about you?"

Zoe glanced around to check on Raigon. 

He was still aiming his arrow on the area where the gunshot came from.

"I'll just check what is going on."

"No… C-come with us..."

Erin uttered through her bloodless lips. 

She lifted her feeble arm to hold on to Zoe.

Zoe's shoulders droop at the crestfallen situation of her friend.

"I'm here. Everything will be alright."

She clasped her hand firmly and placed it in her chest.

She was about to stand up when another gunshot was heard.

Bang!

Zoe looked back and to her horror, it was Raigon who was shot.

She didn't realize that he was just behind her covering her up. 

"Raigon!"

She dashed to his side to check him out.

Raigon immediately stood up even though he's in pain and put her behind his back as he rushed towards the deck in a backward manner.

"Stay behind me!"

He howled as he enveloped his arms around her backward making himself as a human shield.

"No! You're wounded!" Zoe screamed.

She hysterically forced herself away from Raigon's protection so she could check on him.

But Raigon was stronger than her. He pulled her towards his back.

"They are after you!"

"What? Why me?!"

She blurted out as she removed her shirt and made a tourniquet dressing to his wound. 

Even though she's panicking, she was used to emergency cases during her medical training.

She hugged him tightly to keep the pressure on it as they raced backward.

"I don't know. But stay behind me. I will protect you."

It suddenly dawned on her why Raigon was pointing the arrow at her. 

He was not really aiming at her but the shooter behind her back.

Zoe glanced back at the area where it came from.

'Whoever he was must be hurt by Raigon's arrow that's why his shot missed me but hit Kristie instead.'

'I hope he's seriously injured now.'

But to her dismay, another gunshot was heard.

Bang!

At the speed of light, Zoe looked around to see if anyone else was shot. 

Fortunately, the Norfolks were already transporting Kristie out and none got hit.

But Erin was running back toward her. 

"Erin! Duck!"

Raigon bellowed and as he said so another gunshot was heard and missed Erin.

She was able to make her way to Raigon and Zoe who were already scurrying away from the island to the deck.

"You shouldn't have come back!"

Zoe scolded her as she hid behind Zoe who was hiding behind Raigon.

"As if I could leave you behind!" Erin retorted back.

"Such a good time to have terrorists on this island!"

She continued to blurt out as they were already near the waters.

As soon as she heard the word 'terrorist', her eyes darted on Raigon.

He was already dizzy and his lips were already bluish. 

His previous strong stance was turning weak and heavy. 

"Raigon!" She squeezed him tighter. "Hold on!"

She desired to put more pressure on his wound. But she knew it was not enough since it was on the abdomen. 

And he was losing a lot of blood from his sides in his effort to search the area where the shooters are.

'He needs to be treated as soon as possible or he will die!'

They were already on the deck. But there was no boat in sight. 

"Zoe, what do we do now?!"

Erin shrieked.