Elias's ears were still ringing from the gunshot when Nathan's full weight sagged against him. The room smelled of gunpowder and blood. Too much blood. Blood from Nathan and the one who was shot by Elias.
Nathan's head rested on Elias's shoulder, breath coming in wet, shallow gasps. Nathan was dying. No, he was going to die if no one did anything. After all, he was losing a lot of blood.
Elias's brain finally caught up.
He was a Nursing student. He could give first aid immediately.
He dropped to his knees, dragging Nathan with him so the taller man lay flat on the centre carpet. Nathan's back was soaked dark red, the bullet had gone clean through just under the left shoulder blade.
"Viktor!" Elias shouted, voice cracking. "Don't just stand there, call an ambulance! Now!"
Viktor was already moving, phone to his ear, barking orders.
"Second floor, east wing, gunshot wound to the back, through-and-through, heavy bleeding. Get the ambulance here fast!"
Elias didn't wait.
