Selene and Ben walked out the doors of the medical building. They had gone to see Selene's obstetrician for a check-up as the prescribed three weeks of bed-rest had finally passed by. The doctor told them everything looked good with Selene's cervix and an ultrasound showed that the baby was healthy.
Ben was looking at one of the ultrasound pictures in his hand as they turned left to go toward the parking lot. Their car was supposed to be waiting for them by the curb.
"He looks like a little bean," he remarked with a big grin. Selene returned his smile with one of her own. She was holding onto his hand, looking down at the picture as they walked.
Leaning her head against his arm, she started to reply, "How do you know that—," but her words were cut short by the sounds that sliced through the air.
Although the car was supposed to already be there, it wasn't. Instead, they saw what they thought was the car approaching. Although it slowed down as it got near, it did not stop. Instead, the back-seat window came down and Selene thought she saw a familiar face. Maria immediately shouted, "Gun! Gun! Gun!" She dove in front of Selene while two other guards attempted to form a shield to block the gunman from hitting Ben and Selene. Another guard took out a gun from its strap under his suit and started firing back.
Time seemed to freeze for Selene as she held onto her stomach and was covered by Maria. She heard the gunshots, which sounded like they were right near her ears, and screaming that seemed to be coming from far away. It only took her seconds to realize that it was her screams that she heard.
When it was all over, the car had sped away, and Maria was lying unmoving on top of Selene. Ben had also attempted to shield Selene, so he got up carefully and then gently moved Maria so that she was lying on the ground on her back. He knew immediately that she was dead because he saw the bullet wound on her neck as he cradled Selene in his arms.
Ben yelled for help as he shifted his attention to Selene. She seemed fine but it was clear she was in shock by the glazed look in her eyes. Several bystanders had ducked or ran away between cars as they heard the gun shots and the commotion, but now they were slowly coming toward the scene. The three guards had been hit in the chest but survived due to the bullet-proof vests they were wearing. They were now forming a circle and telling bystanders not to come closer.
Eventually medical staff came out and the women were rushed to the nearby hospital. Maria was pronounced dead when she arrived in the emergency room, while Selene was taken to a different curtained off area. After she was examined by the emergency room doctor, who confirmed that she was in shock but otherwise physically well, Ben had her moved to a private hospital room.
The doctor had also done an ultrasound to ensure that the baby was unharmed, which it was, to Ben's relief. The only sign that Selene heard this news was that she touched her abdomen; otherwise, she barely blinked.
Once Selene was settled in the hospital room, Ben stepped outside, closed the door, and made the necessary calls. First, to Johnny who had already heard about what happened from one of the guards.
"Our people chased after them," he told Ben. "The sons of bitches won't get away. We are on their tail and the police are also on their way. They've blocked off intersections. We won't let them get on the freeway. We won't let them get away. Period."
Ben ran one hand through his hair as he listened. Through gritted teeth, he said, "I want the gunman's head brought to me ASAP Johnny. Maria is dead. Selene is devastated and in shock. I want to know who did this and I want to know now. We need to make them pay, whatever it takes!"
"We will. I promise you," Johnny replied. "And Ben, don't worry about calling Peter. I'll tell him and he'll tell Lucy."
Ben thanked Johnny and hung up. The second call was to Selene's parents, who rushed to the hospital.
After a little while, a social worker came to examine Selene and recommended that she be transferred to the psychiatric ward of the hospital. Ben looked at the woman and shook his head. "No," he replied. "Give me the name of the best facility in the country, hell, the world, and I'll have her transferred there."
"Sir, I cannot imagine what you have been through," the woman responded in a calm voice. "But, please understand. The state that your fiancée is in requires that she be treated very gently. It would be detrimental for her condition if she were to be driven long distances, much less get on a plane. Once she is out of shock and more stable, she can be moved then."
Ben let out the breath he had been holding and nodded, "Alright, but I want the best psychiatrist in the county brought in to consult."
"That we can probably do," the social worker said.
"No probably about it," Ben replied curtly. "I don't care about the cost. Just get it done."
The social worker became scared at seeing the coldness in Ben's eyes. She nodded and quickly walked out of the room.
Anie got up from where she had been sitting next to Selene and approached Ben, who was staring after the social worker. She put a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to look at her. "I know you're scared, dear, but you can't take it out on the staff. They're just trying to help."
Ben put his hands over his face and then ran them through his hair again. "I know. You're right," he said quietly. "I'll apologize when I see her next."
They both walked back toward Selene on the bed. She was still staring ahead, not saying anything.
Ben took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. A tear rolled down as he said, "Baby, please, look at me." But she didn't.