I heard the shot before I even registered the pain.

One moment, I was holding Aurora — our five year old daughter — close, her tiny arms clinging to my neck, bunny squeezed tight between us. The next, a burning agony exploded in my leg, sharp, searing, and I dropped to one knee.

Her scream cut through the chaos. “Dada! Dada!”

I tightened my grip around her, shielding her body with mine as I fell.

You were right beside me, panic written all over your face, but I saw you hesitate. You needed to stay, stay with me.

Before you could react, Niall was there, moving faster than I expected.

“I’ve got her,” he said quietly but firmly, taking Aurora from my arms with the gentleness I’d expect from no one else.

Her tiny fingers clutched his shirt, eyes wide and scared. “Dada bleeding.”

My heart dropped at the sound of her worried voice, my tone was pained. “My Rora… I’ll be okay. Niall’s got you. Dada loves you.”

“Love you dada.” Aurora said, laced with concern as her bottom lip trembled.

Niall looked at me for a long second, then turned, carrying her inside, safe and steady.

I stayed kneeling in the gravel, my leg burning, blood pooling beneath me.

“Stay with me,” I told you, voice rough. “Please.”

Your hands trembled as you pressed against my shoulder, eyes dark with fear and something fierce.

I swallowed the pain, watching the door close behind Niall and Aurora.

My Rora. My world.