The gunshot rang across the expanse, above the roar of the river.
Clement gave a pained grunt as if he'd been the one struck in the sternum. For a moment, he could only cling to the slope's crest - eyes to his knees, knees to the dirt. The pressure in his head gave out. As much a relief as it was jarring. Yet, he still pushed through.
And met nothing.
Another small sound left Clement - a gasp of air as he finally forced his head up. His entire body was trembling. It was a weak sensation that he had only felt once before when he was very young.
"N-No… No… C-Claudette."
He would never recover from this. Claudette was the one with the mortal wound - he would never be the same. Her face was turned away, pale skin obstructed by strands of hair and so much blood.
