Rogue Angel - Footprints Part 74

"Yep."

"You realize the entire thing sounds ridiculous."

Jenny laughed. "My life's been ridiculous so far. Why stop now?"

"Because I'm asking you to. Does that count for anything? Anything at all?"

Jenny chewed her lip. "Not anymore, Annja. I'm sorry. But it doesn't. The time has come. The needs of the one now outweigh the needs of the many."

Annja nodded. "I can't entirely find fault with you wanting to do this. I just wish you'd see how unlikely it is that you'll be successful."

Jenny looked up. The drizzle had tapered off and the clouds had started to part. "Weather's getting better. That should make loading the truck easier."

"For you," Annja said.

"Still not going to help?"

"No."

"And I can't buy your loyalty?"

Annja sniffed. "My loyalty was never for sale. It was given unconditionally as a result of being your friend. Your good friend."

"We were good friends," Jenny said. "It's a shame that after all we've been though it has to end this way."

"Just get on with it, then."

Jenny nodded. "All right. If that's what you want."

"It's better than sitting here trying to talk some sense into you. That's obviously not going to work."

"I'm beyond reason at this point. All I can see is what I need to do in order to make my life what I want it to be."

"If you say so."

"I do."

Annja leaned back on her hands. "Make sure you aim properly. I don't want an abdominal wound. Those suck."

Jenny positioned the pistol in both of her hands and adopted a solid shooter's stance. "I'll put two in your heart. It will be over soon enough."

Annja looked at her. "I want you to do me a favor."

"A last request? That seems a little trite. Especially coming from someone like you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Jenny shrugged. "You don't seem like the type who would beg for something at the last moment."

"I'm not begging for anything," Annja said. "I'm only making a small request for you to remember something. That's all. No steak dinner or anything like that. Just a tiny favor."

"And what would you like me to remember?"

"That I saved your life."

Jenny looked at her. "Joey saved my life. Not you."

Annja shook her head. "No. If I hadn't taken the spirit walk with Joey's grandfather, we never would have found you."

"Why didn't you tell me that before?"

Annja sighed. "Because when I do these things I'm not looking for bragging rights. I do them because I don't have any other choice. It's who I am, how I'm wired. I can't not help people."

Jenny nodded. "I understand."

"Do you?"

"Yes. But I still have to do what I have to do. You must be able to understand that."

"I can understand the thought process but not the eventual outcome. I think you're committing suicide here."

Jenny shook her head. "I disagree. But even if I am, at least I'm finally living my life on my terms. It's felt as if I've been living in a fantasy future world for so long, I don't even remember the last time one of my decisions was made by me for me."

"And this decision you're making now, the one to kill me? That's all for you, huh?"

"Yes. It is."

Annja nodded. "Then I wish you the very best of luck with your life."

"Thanks."

Annja closed her eyes. "See you on the other side, my friend."

She heard Jenny's voice. "Goodbye, Annja."

Annja steeled herself.

She would summon the sword and be ready to move as soon as Jenny did.

Before she reacted, Annja heard the explosions of the two gunshots in rapid succession.

And then she felt the impact in her chest.

Chapter 38.

Annja looked down at her chest.