[ WP ] As I ran away in a full sprint I could her screaming behind me . “ Remember ! You made me a promise ! ”

I laugh. And laugh some more. And finally can give nothing more than a weak sound somewhere between a giggle and a chuckle, because it's true. I made her a promise. 
 
 I do n't know what drove me to do it. Perhaps it was the way she looked at me, with her lashes drawn down so I had to concentrate to make out the entirety of those beautiful eyes. Maybe it was the softness of her hand as she squeezed my own. Whichever it was, it was a mistake. 
 
 I do n't stop running until I'm wheezing and gasping and generally ca n't take another step. I collapse on the sidewalk, not caring who sees me. I made her a promise. Damn it, what was I *thinking*? I knew what she would want. And what did I say? 
 
 *Anything. * 
 
 I wipe the tears from my cheeks. It's just a promise. I can break it. I'll take a plane back to America, and I'll never have to think about her again. 
 
 *** 
 
 Someone's shaking me. I do n't want to open my eyes. I do n't want to see the truth. I do n't want to remember that I did n't run, that I did n't laugh, that I did n't decide to leave. 
 
 They do n't stop. Finally, reluctantly, I take a peek. It's exactly what I knew it would be. She's lying dead on the sofa, a neat little hole in her forehead. I hold my hand up, but the gun is n't there anymore. He took it. Of course he did. 
 
 I let my eyes close again and this time I fall for real.
