Chapter 15

Here we go.... That's all I could think.  The knock on the motel door shook me up the second the loud noise in dead silence reached me. I knew it was only a matter of time before shit hit the fan; I just didn't expect it to happen this fast.  Here we go, here we go....

Was I possibly jumping to conclusions?  I mean just because someone is knocking at our door, it doesn't instantly mean whoever it is wants to kill us.  Of course, Luke sure didn't have an issue jumping, skipping, and sprinting to that conclusion.  

The second - the flipping second - that the knock on the door echoed throughout the whole room, Luke was in action.  It was like he was already wide awake and ready for absolutely anything.  Which he proved.  From where I was laying in the dark, my eyes now wide, I took in what I could.  My eyes on the door, they instantly darted over to where I heard hard footsteps on the floor.  I sat up, alarmed by everything and I watched Luke's silhouette walk swiftly with purpose to the door.  The outline of his gun, I could see, was already in his hand.

What was he going to do?!  I kept thinking that everything needed to slow down.  We needed to get ready, know what was coming.... I needed to think.  Thing was... Luke already did.  I just hope he was thinking straight and wasn't going to do anything stupid. 

"Luke," I hissed loudly as my eyes stared in panic at his moving form.  "What are you doing?!" I asked with tight lips. He wasn't the type to do something dumb. He was very level headed when it came to strategy.  He was different now though and I wasn't 100% positive of what to expect from him.  

He didn't swing open the door and start shooting.  Which meant he wasn't psycho.  But it didn't help much with how tense he looked the moment Jackson flicked on a dim lamp next to the couch.  My eyes darted to the now awake Jackson who was standing at the foot of my bed, facing Luke's back with lowered eyebrows - of annoyance and worry.  Me sitting up in bed, still slightly under my covers, my gaze found him again.  He stopped at the door and carefully looked through the little peephole.  At this point, I was on my feet, panicked too as I neared Luke a second later. 

Staring up at him in the dimly lit room, I could see his head slightly tilted and focusing one of his wide eyes through the little peephole.  His bed hair muffled in the back, I saw some of his strands curled forward and over his eyes as I moved closer. I felt his hand that wasn't gripping his gun instinctively grip my arm.  It was like he was ready for war at any second.  

Before he could do any more, I felt Jackson roughly grab both mine and Luke's shoulders and move us away from the door.  And as swiftly as he did, Jackson stepped forward and looked through the peephole. An audible sigh from him reached the dense air.   

I could see just by staring at Jackson's back how he was feeling.  His brown hair, was just slightly messy, and I noted how relaxed his body was.  He wasn't worried in the least. 

"You pussies," I heard him mutter just before snorting lightly.  In the next moment, Jackson made my heart jump as he opened the door. I could barely see the man he was facing; Jackson was blocking him. I just know that my nerves after that started to calm a bit seeing he wasn't freaking out.  Jackson crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame, allowing me to see who he was facing.  The man looked slightly familiar.  It was the front desk clerk of this crummy place. "Can I help you?"

"Yes," the man said.  More like girl with how light his voice sounded in response to Jackson. From what I could see, he just looked like a young kid working. "I thought I should inform you folks of something."

"Like what?" Jackson put curtly. 

"There are a group of men downstairs.  They asked for someone like 'Prenta' they assumed was staying here or whatever," he shook his head, slightly confused by that.  "We don't have anyone checked in under that name so I don't know what their problem is.  I stated I wasn't authorized to say either way. Then they started to hang around your truck outside.  I just thought I should inform you."

Jackson's body completely changed - just as tense as Luke's was a moment ago.  My body did much more than tense.  I heard that and it triggered various amounts of chills over me.  It might have even reached my brain because all I could think was shit.  Just shit man....  Even though at this point I knew I shouldn't be surprised.

Jackson stood straighter and cut him off. "They still there?"

Jackson didn't need the dude to finish.  Neither did I.  Despite us being paranoid, it was clear we had a right to be.  People really were here, looking for us. Or more specifically, Luke.  They asked for Prenta... Even though Jackson checked us in under a different name.... Why are they around the truck? I had no clue what to think of that confusing piece of information.  However, bottom line was, we all better get our asses out of here. They wouldn't have asked for Prenta if they weren't sure he was here. 

"Yeah, they are still there.  Like hanging around your truck..."  The guy, I could see, glanced behind him and to where our truck was parked a little ways away.  He could see this was a bigger deal for us than he probably first assumed.

From where I was standing beside Luke, I saw he couldn't stand still any longer.  Groaning and mumbling, he started to step back.  I watched him in worry slowly walk back and forth.  But for no more than a second.  He got it together, went to the dresser, grabbed something, and returned to the door.  Nudging Jackson aside slightly, I saw Luke show the clerk his badge in his hand.  "Sir, I am a police officer. We can handle this situation - and it is a serious situation.  You have to call and inform your other guests to not leave their room, or do anything until you know it's safe.  I wish I could explain more but that's not ideal at the moment.  Do you understand?"

The guy - who now very much looked like a boy hearing that - just nodded.  Stunned almost too.  "O-Okay," the young man said to him.  Jackson didn't have the patience any longer.

"Thank you," I heard Jackson curtly mutter to him before nearly shutting the door in his face. With a very definite click of the door, it was just the three of us again.  I didn't take that much notice to Jackson for doing that though; we were all freaking out.  After all... we needed to get the hell out of here.  I already had a stream of ideas filtering over me naturally. Of what options we had, what we could do.  Of what we better be able to accomplish.  I knew how to push aside the shock of things and though it was hard, that's what I had to do.  I had to avoid the fact that this was happening and embrace a plan of action.   But first, I was enthralled with watching these two.

My eyes looked between the two of them standing and facing each other now.  Jackson was in his mode. "How could they possibly assume that you would be here?" Staring at Luke, he then jabbed a finger towards his chest roughly, eyebrows lowering.

He swatted it away almost just as fast with a stone face.  He and I both knew the answer to Jackson's words though.  It made my heart go cold because it made too much sense.  He knew so too; that's why he took such a long breath before answering Jackson's demanding eyes.  Luke's green eyes upon his guarded expression looked over to me.  For a long second, just staring into my eyes.  In pride for me and regret aimed at himself.

His gaze reaching back to Jackson, he finally spoke the words I knew were true.  "They followed me.  They must have. They have been watching me to see if I could bring them to Albany.  Though I did, you two ran and they lost you.  They probably went back to me, and watched to see if I would interfere again.  And I did.  But they would have caught up with you eventually anyway," he sighed, pursing his lips.  Those last words he spoke made him sound less to blame.  He only sped up these guys finding us by a little bit. The men coming after me had apparently split.  Some trying to follow my trail, the others watching him....

"You didn't help.  Bottom line," Jackson said, eyes digging in his with anger.  He deflected it from infecting his stone expression.  Even though I know he must have felt incredibly guilty like before. 

"Either way," I spoke loudly, grabbing their attention.  In the dimly lit dump-of-a-room, I saw both their faces turn and look to me.  With worry, and with curiosity.  "We have to get out of here and I won't be sitting here when they try to - most likely - break into the truck if they are already sniffin' around it."  And with that, my gaze landed to the back window. 

That's right.  The window against the back wall of the room, facing out and behind the motel.  Which was just a weeded uneven field that looked like it was being prepared for some kind of construction.  I strode to that window too, finally able to inspect this option that I contemplated when the guy mentioned they were here.  

My mind was set.  My eyes were searching this window, seeing how we could get it open.  We could clearly all fit through it because it was a huge window.  Question would also be how do we get down and--

"What are you doing?" Luke interrupted my thoughts - and my eyes.  He nudged my shoulder, forcing my eyes to his.  He looked even more panicked.   More calculating too as he was considering this idea he could see I had.

"We can't walk out the front fucking door," I groaned loudly, feeling my chest jump in impatience.  Searching his eyes as they looked into mine, he sighed deeply in thought.  Despite my worry and being antsy, I almost shockingly wanted to smile.  Luke has changed in these three years.  He was more irrational - even if just slightly.  But he still had the sense to think things through, plan, and stay calm. 

"I know that.  A plan though--"

He was cut off by a very opposite approach that Jackson was initiating.  Starting with the base of a lamp and nearing us with long strides.  Before anything else, he stepped around where me and Luke were standing and didn't even hesitate. I stumbled forward slightly, confused, and turned to watch Jackson raise the base of the lamp and slam it with muscle into the window.  Making a cracking noise first.... then it shattered when he smashed it into the window again. Pieces of glass clattered to the ground outside and in.  And just for the fucking hell of it, why not throw the lamp out the now open window?  That made a loud crash on the ground too.

"Fuck Jackson!" I growled at him, moving closer to him an hissing up in his face after he did that.  How could I not?  He didn't warn us, check to see if we were fine with that, and obviously he sure didn't think twice if it was a good idea or not.  With all this... I felt my stomach twist.  I just wanted to be out of this situation.  Even more, I just wanted those two safe.  And dummy wasn't helping much right now.  "They could have heard that!" After all, this was a small place, it's the middle of the night, and it's very quiet.

We all stood there in silence, and I was just straining to hear if there were any noises following the window breaking and lamp crashing.  Staring at the floor mindlessly with a scowl, I just listened.  Besides the soft and warm summer breeze washing into the room, and the sound of crickets, we heard nothing after a long minute or more.

"See princess?" Jackson sneered at me, drawing my eyes back up to his.  I could feel Luke staring at Jackson too from beside me.  "Nothing wrong," he spoke, narrowing his eyes on mine.

"No, that was stupid.  Don't do that shit again," Luke spoke in a very hard voice. Stepping closer to him, he met his eyes menacingly.  He about had it with Jackson as Jackson did with him.  This wasn't the best time for this since all I wanted was to get out and have a plan going.  Those people won't be content for long snooping around a damn truck.  They know we are here. 

Spitting words harshly in his face, Luke let him have it.  "I can't trust you and after this, I really don't want to.  All I know though is you want to protect her.  That's enough for me - for now that is, asshole. Otherwise I will make it hell for you and I don't think you understand my easy capability of that!"

Hearing Luke speak that way... I mean damn.  I don't even think I can recall him speaking to Clare with that much poison in his voice.  It certainly did surprise Jackson, shockingly enough.  I watched him raise his eyebrows.  He just stared right back at Luke with a blank face though; he wouldn't dare buckle under his words.   

"I don't think you understand my easy capability of not giving a shit about what you think about me.  You don't scare me and I'll do what I do when it comes to protecting her.  So simmer the fuck down boy."  Boy?  Wow that was ballsy for someone who was under ten years older than him.

Either way, I could hardly stand this pointless shit.  Did they forget we need to move our asses?  "What are we doing?" I said louder and in their faces, looking between both of them. 

"We don't know how many there are," Jackson noted.  Finally too; he was thinking.  I was about to lose faith in him and officially announce him to be a retard since he should be concerned with the situation. 

"Doesn't matter," Luke said.  It really didn't when it came to him.  That man has literally taken on a whole army before from what my eyes have witnessed.  "How good of a shot are you?" he asked Jackson.

"Very good.  Very precise," he said curtly, not happy to be answering to Luke.  I knew he agreed with his idea though.

"Okay," Luke nodded to him, then glanced to me.  "You and I are going out this window and staying back a ways. Back in the trees more," he said, pointing to the start of the woods on the edge of the little field that continued up to the side of the motel and out to the road in front.  "I'll shoot one in the leg from there; slowly move in.  If there are shots back, then I'll have no choice but to take them down.  Neither will Jackson," he said, looking to Jackson.  "I think you should stay up here.  Shoot from the door because you can see them from the door out in the parking lot. I don't think there are a lot so we shouldn't have to worry too much." 

Jackson took his words easily enough and retreated back towards the beds of the trashy room for something.  However, I could hardly believe my ears when Luke said that.  I felt unsettled hearing those words.  Because for once... we actually had the knowledge of these men being here before they knew where we were exactly.  It was flipped for once. And he wasn't taking advantage of that by doing what a cop would do. "Shoot one in the leg and see what happens?  What kind of idea is that, Mr. Police Officer?"

My eyes focused up on his.  However, my gaze was interrupted as I heard Jackson's heavy footsteps near us again where we stood at the window. He came to stand right between us at the window.  I saw he dragged over one of the bed comforters with him.  But the next moment I watched as he bunched it up, and tossed it out the window, holding onto one end of it. This would be interesting all right.  It would help us climb down the little ways to the ground since we were on the second story.   Jackson would hold it for us most likely.  I just hope Jackson won't let go out of anger for Luke because trust me, he was still radiating pissy-ness. 

I moved back a step to take in Luke on the other side of Jackson.  His eyes were on mine when he answered my question.  "It's one that is important.  They will take us down if we try to arrest them alone.  And  do you want other cops involved?  Cops who will want to talk to us afterwords? And have our names on record in this place?  Whether real or fake names, those men chasing us will figure it out.  If the cops end up arresting these men, those guys in the parking lot will be able to tell the others that we were here and where we would be probably heading.  Sounds cruel.  For us though it would be better if they didn't live.  But trust me... I will only take them down if I must.  For the sake of humanity and my sanity, I will arrest them if I can.  I will.  We just cannot have our names here," his understanding eyes that softened at my question moved up to Jackson; I knew he better understand that very clearly himself according to boss man Luke.  To be fair though, I completely agreed with him on why we were doing it this way. No matter how sloppy and terrible this seemed.  All that's left to do is get this over with....

***

We had two guns between the three of us.  Both were from Luke's belt since the rest of Jackson's shit was in the truck.  So of course, who is the one person without a gun?  That's right, little me.  I hated it.  I just was finished with being the helpless one. I knew how to shoot but I understood; Luke had a good, organized, and understanding plan in action.  But neither of us could afford to keep thinking about it.  We just had to do it and block out the emotional aspect of it.  For some reason, what we were about do sounded so much worse compared to some of the other brutal things in the past we faced.  

No time was wasted after Luke said what we were to do.  We all became very quiet; Jackson checked and made sure the men were still out and hanging around the truck.  He actually informed us that they apparently managed to break in and open the truck door.  Great. "If that new truck gets shot, they are all fucking dead," Jackson muttered after he told us.  But he was focused enough and did what he had to do before getting ready for his part.  Which was to hold the comforter for Luke and I as he climbed down.  He braced his feet against the wall of the motel as he moved down.  I did the same thing as well when he was done; easy-peasy for the most part as surprising as that was. 

It was a rush, happening very quickly.  The moment my feet touched the ground, Luke took my arm in his hand... like instinct, which I didn't like; his other hand was holding his gun.  We began quickly walking through the open field and towards the line of woods.  All the while glancing up the side of the motel towards the front and the parking lot.  But we weren't able to get a glance of anything yet.  We would have to move up closer.  But first, Luke's job was to get us in the woods and in cover. 

Our footsteps and stomps on the earth floor slowed when we engrossed ourselves in the trees and brush. I felt relief.  A feeling that was, even if small, something that helped me feel more secure because of how dark it was.  And if we made noises, hopefully it would be swallowed by the songs of the crickets.  But a different feeling of anticipation came over me as I knew what was about to happen.

Luke's hand on my arm guided me forward into the woods a few yards more until he slowed to a gradual stop with me.  My eyes tried to spot anything distinctive as I stood there with him in darkness.  His hand was still on my arm strangely - and it was even more strange when I felt his grip tighten.  All I could see was shadows.  Until some of the moonlight filtered through the few trees and actually allowed me to stare up into his determined jade eyes and blank face.

"Stay behind me the whole time.  It will be over in--"

"I'm not a child," I spoke up to him in a firmer voice and finally shook off his grip.  I didn't want to be treated like I was helpless but his words even seemed to confirm it.  Even worse was I knew the smart thing was to do as he said.

"You always listened like one," he said sharper, making me roll my eyes. He did have a good point unfortunately.  "Just be ready in case," he whispered. 

"Oh, I will be.  Since I didn't get a damn gun...."  I stepped closer to him.  He looked down to me with lowering eyebrows, confused.  But he saw why and could feel my hand when it reached for something. My hand brushed his belt that held his equipment and I knew which little pouch on there I needed.  I ended up grabbing the pepper spray.  I always knew he had it on him.  It's the only thing I could really use if I needed to.  I also had experience using the spray before, remember ladies and gents?  It was so long ago yet still very much embedded into my head.  Of course, I would prefer a gun any day.  So I know trust me, I felt like such a let down for help.  I felt pathetic but will Jackson or Luke have it any other way?  I don't think so.  I at least wanted something so this will have to do.

Seeing what I grabbed, I glanced back up to Luke, expecting to see a blank or disapproving face.  Only with the help of nature's light, I took in eyes that made my chest jump.  He looked down to me and, strangely enough, a small smile formed across his lips.  A gaze rested on me... almost in admiration I suppose.   

"What?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow as I stared up at him.  Why was he looking at me like that?  I was just waiting for him to take the pepper spray back.  I won't lie though.  Seeing that look... I loved it.  It was open and as if he was just happy with me.

"Nothing," he shook his head, looking down and away from my eyes with that smile.  But he forced it to fade for now.  "Lets get this over with," he nodded, glancing back up to me with a determined expression.  To be honest, it did make my heart jump and made me want to smile.  He was clearly happy or amused with me for something.  This was not the time to even bother with that though.

We both knew Jackson was ready with the other gun  either at the door or front window of our room if things escalated.  Luke and I walked slowly through the woods, moving towards where we would be able to see the parking lot clearly.  Then after moving up, we were gradual in moving close to where the woods stopped.  We inched closer - cautiously of course - towards the edge of the woods where it opened up to a strip of grass and then the side of the motel and parking lot.  We could see through the trees and brush to where the openness was flooded in moonlight.  My eyes landed on six men total.  Four were standing outside the truck, and looking in where two of them were in the truck.  Probably going through everything to find validation that we are here because they obviously thought so. 

"Step back a bit," he said, moving back into the woods a little more with me.  After all, it was likely we will get shot at back. 

Standing beside Luke slightly, staring out, I saw from my side vision Luke raise his hands holding the gun and aiming it towards them.  I didn't know how Luke was going to be able to do it with that gun... in the dark... and hit one of their legs.  I mean we weren't that far away but enough yards to make it difficult. 

Then... he did it.  The shot that ripped through the peaceful night sounds that were just so calming.  The still night was interrupted and started to have a chain reaction.  The first being the dreadful scream that echoed through the parking lot and into our listening ears.  I saw that Luke did perfectly.  The man he shot in the leg fell to the ground, screaming and grabbing desperately at his calf since their backs were partially to us.

Before my eyes, I watched as the men around the fallen one backed away fast, and under the lights, I could see them definitely reach for something.  The moment Luke noticed, he backed us up protectively even more.  But we could still see them freaking out, looking in all directions.  The men were confused, scrambling strangely, unsure where that shot came from.  That didn't hold them back from randomly shooting.  Apparently they at least knew it came from our direction. 

I felt Luke wrap an arm around my back knowing the shots were being fired randomly towards us.  He held me in a standing position behind a big tree with him.  The shots were way off but I knew too well how he was about being safe. His hand moved until he gripped my left arm, holding me in place behind the tree as he slowly moved out and forward.  Straining... and apparently enough to where I heard him fire back a few times.

When he let go, I moved up beside him as I saw two of the men laying still on the ground now.  The other four were scrambling around the truck for cover. Moving to the side of the truck closest to the road for cover.  Jackson would be so mad....

However, Jackson didn't hit his truck when I heard his shot ring through the air. We watched as a shot rung out from our motel door.  It hit one of them in the face perfectly. Perfectly.... The others that were left did not expect that since it came from a completely different direction from Luke's shots. However, their attention was now on Jackson. 

After that perfect and brutal shot he made somehow, Jackson completely threw the motel door open, leaving the room.  I watched with scarred eyes as he started sprinting down the floor of the open hall towards where the steps were to the cement of the lot.  What he was doing... I don't know.  But the shots the men shot back towards him scared me.  He ducked low as he ran, but he was fast, getting to the stairs that blocked the shots.  That's where he paused, behind the steps going down.  And behind a support pole too that was large enough to fully block him.  Luke and I both knew that was the time to move in.  Three down, three to go unless Luke could help it and arrest them.

I moved with Luke as he bolted out of the trees and into the parking lot, his gun down in caution.  It helped with them being distracted.  Plus we came up from behind them since they were facing the hotel; we were in the woods close enough to the road.  So we had the upper hand I suppose. Though it didn't feel like it. 

I saw from my side Jackson come down the rest of the way too.  Only he raised his gun as we neared the men straight on.  He shot one more in the chest as he came close and avoided the last bullet fired towards him.

Two left standing.  And it was a scrambled process.

"Don't move, put your fucking hands up!" Luke screamed at them, all of us close enough.  We had them... especially because me and Luke came up from the side and behind them.  Jackson and Luke each had their guns aimed at them.  Both knew to drop their weapons instantly.... They calmly put their hands up, looking quite disappointed this happened.  Luke coming from the side pressed the barrel of the gun to the side of one of the men's heads.  I picked up the gun this guy dropped, knowing better.  Jackson rounded the truck and did the same to the other, picking up the one he forced the man to drop too. 

Luke slammed the man against the truck and cuffed him in a second.  But the guy Jackson held his gun to... had different ideas.  Jackson, his gun pressed into the guys back, wasn't ready for something like this to happen.  Before anything could occur - like Luke restraining him too with cuffs - that man was moving. 

He dropped to his knees in front of Jackson, facing the truck.  And with horror, I watched him turn swiftly towards Jackson and reached for a second gun he had tucked in his pants simultaneously. I knew it before he even fully withdrew it from behind him.  In that second of realization though it was already over.... Because I had to end it before this guy ended Jackson.

Each palm of mine held something.  The gun I just grabbed, and the other held pepper spray.  No more games though folks.  I didn't even think, I just did it.  The man turned and was ready to whip his gun out towards Jackson. Not before me though.  I aimed the gun just as fast as he moved.  Pointing the gun down and towards him, I fired....

It rung out in the air and loudly in my ears.  But the echo effect I heard wasn't just from me shooting the gun and killing the man on the ground a few feet away.  It was actually because Jackson, by a millisecond after me, shot him too.  Just as I had at the same time.  We both saw it coming.  It was a good thing too we both were ready....  A second later, Jackson would have been dead.

It all echoed in my ears.  But the sight would echo as well as I watched the blood spurt out and in every direction I could see with how close I was standing.  There was a lot of blood from five others dead in a matter of minutes. This one Jackson and I shot, got it in his chest and stomach.  Or so it appeared.  Couldn't be quite sure with how much blood there was....

I stared down at the body.  I was unable to help my brain from flashing me what else I saw moments ago.  Of the sight of Jackson shooting that other man in the face.  That small little bullet tearing his face apart in a wet and red fleshy mess....  It felt  that I was being shot in the head at that moment.  The image and the one before me now swarmed my head and felt as if it would just tear me apart any moment.

"God..." Luke said with a huge gust of air leaving his lungs.  It luckily got my attention and eyes off the bloody mess.  I turned, staring up at Luke.  He was pressing the man cuffed hard against the truck, making his body even more tense.  His absolute attention was on me though.  "You alright?" He tried hiding it but I heard that crack in his voice as he stared at me with a desperate need for a clear answer.

"Yeah," I whispered softly, clearing my throat. I was okay.  Didn't get hurt, none of us did.  My mind felt like -putty though from how terribly I wanted to think about all that just occurred.

Luke and Jackson didn't take that in yet.  Luke though... was thinking very hard after making sure I was okay.  At least we could arrest just one.... That's what I had to think as I looked over the last guy alive. It was a difference even if it didn't seem like it.  It was one less body bleeding and life taken.  Luke knew that but he was pondering something else now.

His eyes were wide, his gaze lost in thought. Jackson sighed and took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair, looking to me before Luke.  His eyes stayed on mine for a long moment, expression changing for once.  It was to that of worry.  He silently looked me over quickly, seeing if I was okay even though I just confirmed it.  Of course... I always will be fine.  That's the fucking point of all this and it brought on an even worse sickening feeling within me.

"Alright hey, you saved one," Jackson said to him, looking to get out of here now.  After all, he could clearly assume everyone here would realize what went down.  It was only a matter of time before the cops are called... "But lets get our asses out of here now."

Luke, holding the man still, just closed his eyes.  Then nodded to Jackson who didn't even waste time.  He got into the driver's side and ushered me to get in the truck too after he slammed his truck door shut.  All I could do was glance over to Luke, who was breathing hard.  "I saved one.  But... he isn't staying here."

"What are you talking about?" I managed to get out.  The sick feeling in me started to rise.  It's been a while since I saw a dude get shot in the face ladies and gents and kill one myself - like that anyway.  It's also been a while since I really went through taking all that's happened in.  And the last thing I need is to fucking think.  I really did not need that at all. 

Luke was thinking though.  Just not about what happened yet.  He was thinking of something else... that I didn't even comprehend to be something we would do.  "Get in the truck.  Up front," Luke whispered to me, his eyes lifting and finding mine.  Those green pools looked urgent too.

I did as he said, moving around the front of the truck to the other side.  Then getting into the front seat, it was obvious that they clearly were going through our things when I looked behind Jackson and I in the back.  His guns didn't look touched but they had began looking through some of our bags of clothes.  Everything looked here though.  The only stuff not here was the few things we left up in the room and it wasn't important. 

Jackson, the truck started, looked to me and sighed.  "I got lucky.  Not one bullet touched the truck.  Talk about a god damn miracle," he mumbled, adjusting himself and putting on a buckle. 

"That's all you can think about right now?" Especially after killing those men like that... it really just made me curious about him.  How much experience did a man need to act so nonchalant like him?  The answer was a lot.  To be fair though Jackson's job was to protect people like me in situations like this with people coming after them. 

"Yeah.  Well obviously I am very very happy that you are okay," he said.  And it wasn't sarcasm either.  He gave me a genuine look.  "I honestly was scared to leave you alone with him.  I didn't like how he conducted that shit."

Oh... then he certainly wasn't going to be happy about what Luke was about to do.

"What the hell is he doing?  We need to go!" Jackson said loudly, glaring at his side view mirror on his side.  Luke must still be there, holding the guy.  I was just waiting for him to leave the guy there.  I mean what else should we do?  We couldn't wait around for the cops; he was cuffed and was helpless... that's all that mattered.  Or so I thought. 

Eyebrows lowered, my gaze lost on Jackson, my mind began to wander.  I couldn't allow it to.  What happened was a fast blur to me and it should stay that way.  Don't try to remember, don't you think about it.... Don't....  It was just so clear.  So emotionless.  And yet so emotional too.

"Fuck! What the fuck are you doing!?" Jackson's growl hit me and made me jump back to reality.  I realized Luke was on my side of the car when I heard the backseat door behind me open.  There was a reason he told me to sit up front....

I spun around in the seat up front.  And staring behind my seat, I saw the man Luke cuffed get in the back with Luke pointing a gun at his back.  Luke slid in behind him but before he could shut the door behind him, Jackson wasn't having it.  At all.

"I'm not going anywhere until he's out of my truck," he said with a very visible scowl on his face.  He didn't hesitate to turn in his seat like me.  Only he was holding a gun and aimed it at the cuffed man.  "I'll do it.  Right now.  Or you throw him out on the cement now and we leave," Jackson said, his eyes flickering from Luke to the guy before looking down.

I didn't know what to think.  I didn't know why Luke was doing this but he always had a reason.  I was totally on Jackson's side.  He was finished with Luke's shit and I knew that a punch was coming Luke's way.  But I mean... Luke always knew what to do, always thought things through, and he didn't pull weird shit like Jackson.  I had no idea what to think.  But seeing how calm Luke was and how crazy Jackson looked....

I turned until I was fully kneeling up on the front seat, facing the back.  I didn't hesitate.  I reached foward and took the gun out of Jackson's hand (shockingly enough because he was so tense; maybe that's why he wasn't paying enough attention).  "Alright that's it.  Luke what are you doing?" I asked, scowling at Jackson then looking to Luke.

"We need him for now."

"Why th--" I started.

"I'll explain but you need to start driving," Luke said to Jackson.  "Like right now," he said in a paranoid voice.  "Trust me, I know what I am doing.  Drive."

"I'm going to fucking kill you," Jackson muttered with a fire in his eyes that I loathed.  I understood though.  Jackson did not take shit.  Especially like this.  But he did as Luke said even if I knew he may pull over and start a fight.  He nearly floored the truck it seemed out of the parking lot.

My mind was stuck.  In just everything.  I mean... how does that look - what just happened?  We look like fucking murders now!  All that happened, all that was about to happen now that we have.... what do we have?  A fucking hostage?  A pet?  A new buddy?  I didn't know why Luke would do it but I trusted him.  I just hope that we will be able to dig ourselves out of this hole if what happened did in fact put us in the dirt.

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I hate imagining what could happen and how long it could take if I keep writing the book at this pace.  I'll try to do better :)  Hope you liked it.