Miss, I think Ive got that. Ill send someone over as soon as possible, the dispatcher promised.

Oh, thank God, Shane breathed, relief washing over her as she flipped the phone shut and slid down the wall to the floor, letting her head fall back and her eyes shut. Were going to make it.

Suddenly her head snapped back up. *****, Bette and Tina. I need to find them. Jumping up and shoving the phone back into her pocket, she raced out of the room.

*************************************************************

Shane heard voices in the dining room, so she ran into there, sliding to a quick stop at the sight before her. Bette and Helena were facing off, guns aimed at one another. *****, she murmured, not sure what to do.

Tina was standing behind Bette, struggling to ***** her own gun. She accidentally opened it and then dropped it, spilling bullets on the floor. *****! she swore, ducking down and quickly grabbing at the fallen bullets.

Taking a deep breath, Shane walked forward toward the two women. You guys, put those down.

No, Helena said resolutely.

***** no, Bette added, sounding just as determined.

Come on, you guys, stop this before the wrong person gets hurt, Shane pleaded.

Tina triumphantly managed to get the gun reloaded and popped up beside Bette, holding the gun unsteadily and looking unsure of what to do. Shane, she said, her eyes pleading. Stop them.

Im trying, Shane told her, taking another step closer to Bette and Helena.

Bette turned her head toward Shane. Dont take another ***** step closer, Shane. Dont make me shoot you.

Bette, Shane began in protest.

Shut up. I will do it, Bette promised. Her heart sinking, Shane realized Bette meant it. Ill shoot her, too, Bette added, gesturing at Helena with her gun.

You can kill me, Helena said vehemently, her knuckles turning white as she gripped her weapon, but you two are going with me. You shoot me, Bette, and Im taking you and your precious Tina with me. Ill have just enough time to squeeze off the shots.

You could miss us, Bette pointed out.

No, I wouldnt, Helena replied with certainty. Im an expert markswoman.

Okay, you guys, Shane began, trying to keep calm. Ive called the police, and theyre on their way, so we just need to drop the guns and sit tight and wait.

Helena whirled toward her. The police? How did you call them? Its impossible!

I managed to get a signal on my cell phone, Shane explained, pointing to the lump in her pocket.

Shes lying. Its a trap, Helena announced, pointing the gun at Shane.

Stop this, Tina pleaded, her eyes teary.

At the sound of Tinas voice, Helena jerked and pointed the gun at her. Ill kill you, too, Tina.

Dont even think about it, Bette hissed, stepping in front of Tina and closer to Helena, closing the gap slightly between them. And stop calling her Tiner. Its Tina with an a. Cant you get that through your thick English skull?

Thats enough. Stop this, Bette, Shane demanded, stepping over to Bette and placing one hand on her gun.

Get your hand away, Shane, Bette said warningly.

Shane ignored her, instead tugging on the gun gently, trying to pull it away.

Listen to her, Bette, Helena encouraged. Unless youre afraid to be unarmed.

Shut up, Helena! Bette shouted, suddenly angry, as she pulled back on the gun.

Shane, also turning angry, yelled, Bette, quit! Give me that gun. Im trying to ***** help you.

You mean youre trying to kill me! Bette shouted back, jerking frantically at the weapon. The two women were now grappling with one another over the gun.

Stop it, Bette! Just give her the gun before one of you gets hurt! Tina begged, her hands on her face.

Yes, Porter, Id hate to see you two dears get injured, Helena added with a cackle.

Shane and Bette continued their silent tug-of-war a moment longer before there was a sudden bang. Bette let out a low gasp and Shanes eyes widened before the two women slid to the floor together in a heap, blood pooling on the ground beside them.