The police surrounded us. Their guns were drawn and they were shouting orders. Red and blue lights flashed all around. It made everything feel tense. Alexander held his gun tightly. He knew he was trapped.
He was breathing hard and turned the gun toward me. I could see madness in his eyes. "This is your fault," he yelled, shaking. "I won't go to jail. I'd rather die."
The officers yelled at him to drop the weapon, but he didn't care.
"Look at me," he said, his voice softer now. It sounded almost desperate.
I froze. My heart raced. Finally, I looked into his eyes.
A quick smile crossed his face, but before I could say anything, he pulled the trigger.
The gun went off, loud and shocking. Blood sprayed everywhere as Alexander fell. His eyes stared blankly at me.
For a moment, everything was quiet. Then, chaos descended.
Officers rushed in to secure the area. Two of them were laying on the ground, still knocked out from earlier. Other cops checked their pulses. The bodies of the three men he killed were spread out on the ground. Next to them was Rita Chase, a woman he had hidden under his floor.
It felt like a wave of emotions hit me all at once. Relief, horror, and exhaustion rolled over me. It was finally done.
My hands shook as they untied me. The moment I was free, I stumbled outside. The cool air hit my face, but I hardly noticed.
Then, I felt arms around me.
"You're safe," Kate whispered, her voice shaky.
I held on tight to her, trying to keep my tears in check.
News of Alexander's death spread fast. The neighborhood breathed a sigh of relief. The man who caused so much pain, who manipulated everyone, was finally gone.
But the fight wasn't over. His three friends, who helped him scam and hurt people, were arrested soon after.
Standing there in the night, I had a thought.
Alexander spent his life taking from others. In the end, he only had his own life left to take.
I felt free finally free.