TW: There are some mentions of blood and some self inflicted wounds, but nothing too descriptive! Please, be cautious all the same. 

You sat on a small plastic chair, nearly unmoving. Hiding out in a junkyard wasn't exactly how you intended on spending your day, but then again, there was little that had gone on in the past few weeks that had been intended at all. You were all waiting for something, for some kind of sign that John B and Sarah were alright.

At the sound of a plane flying overhead, you snapped your head up, pushing yourself out of your chair. Your heart plummeted as you watched the plane pass over you. It was Ward Cameron's plane, no doubt about it. And there it was going with all your gold.

"There goes the gold," Pope said, his voice tight.

"Shit!" JJ turned and kicked a plastic chair into a wooden beam. It shattered into pieces. Both you and Kie flinched.

"Fuck!" Pope picked something off the ground and threw it into a pile of junk. Kie called out for him, hoping to calm him down before things got too bad. But Pope was inconsolable. You turned back to watch the plan disappear into the sky as Pope beat the shit out of half the junk with a baseball bat.

You brought your hands up to your face, covering your nose with shaking hands. The gold was gone, but you could only imagine what that meant for John B and Sarah.

Pope eventually crashed, flopping himself onto a moldy couch as he struggled to breathe. You walked over, sitting on the ground beside the couch.

"Pope?" Kie looked at him, eyebrows knit together. She breathed heavily, as if exhausted from just watching Pope's breakdown.

"Yeah, dude," JJ said finally. "I was wondering when this was gonna happen."

He pulled a blunt from his pocket and offered it to Pope. You cringed, but said nothing.

"Here you go, chief." JJ extended his arm fully toward Pope. "A little weed never hurt anyone."

"JJ." Kie gave him a look. "You know he doesn't smoke."

Pope seemed to take that as a direct challenge. He took the blunt from his friend, who then sat beside him and offered him a lighter. You sighed, dropping your head into your arms.

"Yeah, what's that gonna help?" Kie asked, still trying to keep control of the situation.

"I lost my scholarship," Pope said. His voice broke as he spoke. "Walked right out of my interview. It's gone. It's not gonna happen."

So, it wasn't just you who had lost everything. There was at least some kind of comfort in that.

"You did that for us?" Kie asked, looking down at him.

"No, not for us." Pope stood. You could feel the anger radiating off of him even from the other side of JJ. "For nothing."

JJ stood and put his arms around Pope's shoulders.

"I'm here for you, alright Pope?" He said, tapping Pope's arm. "Welcome to my world."

"JJ-"

"What, Kie? He's right." Kie glared at JJ as Pope walked away. "It doesn't matter anymore."

"At least we helped Sarah, right?" You tried, lifting your head. JJ and Kie looked down at you, so you pushed yourself out of the dirt. "Maybe we didn't get the gold, but Sarah's not going who knows where with her psycho dad. That's gotta count for something."

Pope put the blunt to his lips and breathed in, his eyes closing.

"You don't have to do that," Kie said, turning back to look at him. He let the smoke out through his nose. You didn't really believe that it wasn't his first time smoking. He did it so flawlessly. You coughed up half your lungs the first joint you smoked.

"What do you care?" Pope asked, turning to look at her with narrowed eyes. Kie didn't have time to respond before Pope's eyes widened. You all turned around only to see John B shuffling around the corner.

"Dude!" JJ ran toward him. "Are you good?"

All four of you crowded around him. He looked completely dazed, a dried stream of tears on his cheeks. JJ took his hands. They were covered in blood. You took a step back, the sight of the blood making you queasy.

"Is this yours?" JJ asked.

"Who's blood is that?"

But John B didn't reply to either JJ or Kie. His mouth was parted, his breathing shallow. You put a hand on his upper arm, hoping to steady him.

"Hey, you okay, man?" Pope asked, just before the familiar sound of police sirens shattered the silence of the junkyard.

When John B heard the siren, he dropped to the ground instantly. You all followed him. A plume of dust and dirt made your cough, but you covered it as best as you could.

"John B, what happened?" Kie whispered.

"Where's Sarah?"

John B turned to look at you, his eyes starting to water again.

"You're freaking me out here, man," JJ said and put a hand on his friend's shoulders. "Just tell us what happened."

***

You sat in the back of Kie's car beside JJ. He had one of his hands on your knee, the only thing keeping you grounded.

Rafe killed Sheriff Peterkin. Even thinking about it made your gut tighten. You had known he was a douche your entire life and you knew that his coke addiction was making that douchiness turn far more violent. But never in a million years would you have expected him to actually kill someone. You couldn't help but think that there had to be something you could have done.

That was a thought you tried to push down. No matter what your mom and dad had tried to drill into your head, not everything had to be your fault. Sometimes, there had to be bad things that happened that you couldn't control. Rafe's actions were his own and he would have to face those consequences.

"Somebody has to tell them what happened," John B said as Kie pulled up to the police station. Pope started to cough, hacking up his lungs.

"Easy there, chief," JJ said, watching his friend carefully. You grabbed a water from Kie's trunk and offered it to Pope. He took it, but instead of drinking it, he took another long drag from the blunt. JJ turned toward John B and clapped him on the shoulder.

"I'm gonna be real with you right now," he said, taking a few seconds before speaking again. "You might end up in the lion's den, but you never go there on purpose. It's fundamental, just like my old man always said, you can never trust cops, no matter the circumstances."

"Your old man's an abusive liar," Kie said from the front. You nodded your head.

"No offense, but listening to your dad is probably the least helpful thing for us to do," you agreed.

"I'm with JJ," Pope said. "Fuck the police."

Kie narrowed her eyes at him.

"You going dark side now?" She asked, turning around to face him.

"When's the last time the police helped us?" Pope retorted, but John B turned toward him.

"Peterkin looked out for me," John B said, his voice quiet. "Or she tried to, at least. They need to know."

He looked at Kie as if for approval. She gave him a small nod, so he popped the door open and stepped out.

"You think it'll work?" You asked Kie. She turned back to look at you. "I mean, are they gonna believe him?"

"No," JJ replied before Kie could. "There's no way. Ward's probably already spread his own version of things and I doubt he told them that it was Rafe."

Things were getting worse with every new revelation. What was once a silly treasure hunt was now a murder that could land you and your friends in jail. You clasped your hands together, your legs starting to bounce up and down. Without looking at you, JJ reached out and laced his fingers through yours, brushing your thumb with his.

You shut your eyes, focusing on his touch. As long as he was there, everything would be okay. You were sure of it. You could figure things out together.

John B came running out of the police station as fast as he could.

"Kie, start the car?" He yelled as he ran around toward the door. "Start the car!"

You sat up straighter, watching the door of the station fly open. Two deputies came running out.

"John B? What-"

He jumped inside, slamming the car door behind him.

"What did you do?" Kie asked, tears gathering in her eyes.

"The cops! Just go!" John B yelled.

The car started forward just as the female deputy grabbed hold of the car door.

"I'm sorry!" Kie whimpered, stepping on the gas. "I'm sorry!"

"Stop the car!" The deputy demanded. John B held the door closed as best as he could, yelling at Kie to drive faster.

"Open it," Pope told John B. "Open the door!"

John B did as he was told, popping the door open. The female deputy stumbled and then fell, her hand sliding off the door handle.

"Sorry!" you called out to her just before John B slammed the door shut again.

"Sorry?" JJ looked at you with a scowl. You shrugged your shoulders.

"It just came out."

Heavy breathing filled the car, but nothing else. No one said anything. Once the police station was out of sights, Kie finally spoke.

"What the hell just happened?" She asked, breathless.

"Ward told them it was me," was all John B said. By the tone of his voice, it was clear he was not up for saying anything else. Kie drove until she found an abandoned barn, where she parked.

"We should sleep," Kie said, dropping her hands from the wheel. "Get some rest and figure out what to do tomorrow."

JJ was one step ahead of her. He had already settled his head against your shoulder, smacking his lips together. You drew circles around his knuckles with your finger until his breathing steadied. You smiled, pressing a kiss against his head. Kie was asleep not much later, but neither you or Pope or John B could manage to close your eyes. John B leaned his chair back so that no one could see him from outside, but with you sitting right behind him, that meant he was staring up at you.

"Is Sarah okay?" You whispered, voice barely audible. He sighed, shutting his eyes for a moment.

"I don't know," he said finally.

"We'll find her and we'll keep her safe," you promised him. Without realizing it, you were using the same tone of voice you used when talking to Kid. You glanced out the window, thinking about Kid, wherever he was. You never should have left him that night at Midsummers. You had no idea how he was doing with your dad. Breathing in deeply, you told yourself that you would see him soon, that everything would be okay.

"What happened to your arm?" John B asked quietly. You glanced over at Pope, who, even though he was high as a kite, had a somber look in his eyes. You cleared your throat.

"I went back to my house," you said. "I went to ask for money, for JJ and for Rafe, but my dad didn't take too kindly to it."

"Your dad's a real son of a bitch, you know?" John B said, closing his eyes and clasping his hands together over his stomach. You found yourself smiling.

"Yeah, he is."

JJ shifted, humming quietly to himself. John B glanced up at his friend asleep on your shoulder. Then he looked back at you with an attempt at a smile.

"I've seen him with a lot of girls before," John B told you. "But he's never been like this."

"You know," Pope said, leaning his head back against the window with a loopy grin on his face. "He wouldn't shut up about you before you started hanging out with us."

You widened your eyes, a smile tugging at your lips.

"Really?"

"Yup," Pope nodded. "It was annoying."

"Thanks, Pope."

He gave you a thumbs up and then promptly passed out.

"You should sleep," John B said. You lowered your gaze to look at him.

"So should you."

He let out a sigh and shut his eyes, as if trying to convince you that he was asleep. You couldn't seem to close your eyes though. Even with JJ's steady breathing like a lullaby beside you, it just felt impossible. There was so much to think about, so many plans to make.

You could only hope that you wouldn't get caught.

***

"Shit, shit, shit, shit!" You hissed to yourself as Pope bulleted down the road.

You had gotten caught and of course, Pope, who was still high off his ass, was driving. Why he had been allowed to drive, you had no idea. He had already run through a mailbox in an attempt to flee from the police.

"I should be the last person to say this," JJ said, bracing himself with a hand against the window. "But you are not okay to drive. Stop!"

Pope stomped on the break.

"What the fuck, Pope?" You cried as you tried to keep yourself from slamming into the back of John B's chair.

"John B," Pope said, breathing heavily. "Get out."

"He's right." JJ sat up and straightened his hat on his head. "We'll draw the cops. You run."

"Shit." John B squeezed his eyes together.

"I'll get you the rig and I'll meet you in the dump tomorrow, okay?" JJ said. They had made a plan to take the Phantom and go up the coast. It might work well enough, but it required JJ going home for the first time since his dad beat him half to death. You weren't too sure how you felt about that. "Tomorrow at three at the dump!"

John B clambered out of the car and started for the woods.

"Step on it!" JJ said and Pope slammed his foot against the gas.

***

Climbing out of the car once you made it to the Wreck felt like you just got off of a rollercoaster. Your stomach twisted and churned and you had half a mind to throw up on Pope's shoes.

"I am never riding in the car with you again," you said, glaring at him. But Pope was smiling, grinning ear to ear.

"We need a plan," Kie said, heading toward the front door.

She sat you all down at a table, going to the back to get some food.

"I have an idea for money and food," you said, taking a drink of water. "But you're not going to like it."

"You're not going back to that goddamn house, Ellie," JJ said, putting his head in his hands.

"Listen," you said, putting your hand out. But JJ shook his head.

"No."

"You're going home, aren't you?" You snapped. "It's just as dangerous for you as it is for me. I want to help John B. I'm not going to be a hindrance just because my dad's an asshole."

JJ screwed his mouth together, narrowing his eyes.

"Do you really need to go home to help John B?" Pope asked, looking at his hands. "Or is there another reason?"

You sat back, chewing on the inside of your lip. Of course Pope would call you out. Even high, he always seemed to know what was going on.

"I need to make sure that Kid is okay," you said once you found the courage to speak. "The current path we're on, I don't know when things are going to calm down or when I can see him again. I have to make sure he's at least sort of safe."

JJ sighed and you met his eyes, begging him silently to let you go. You were going to go anyway, you just didn't want him to be angry with you again.

"You're taking the gun," he said finally. After a moment of glee, you scowled and shook your head.

"No, I don't need-"

"It's the only way I'm letting you go," he said, a tone of finality in his voice. This wasn't a negotiation. And now that he knew your plan, there was no way he was going to let you out of his sight. Finally, you nodded your head.

"What are we scheming?" Kie asked, returning with some food.

"Elm's going home again," Pope said, shoveling food in his mouth. Kie turned to look at you with her mouth hung open.

"Absolutely not."

"Kie, I have to. I have to check up on Kid," you said, tired of having to ask permission to do the one thing you had been doing your entire life. "JJ is already making me bring his gun. I'll be safe. I just...I have to see my brother."

"You're okay with this?" Kie asked, looking over at JJ, who didn't take his eyes off of you.

"No," JJ said. "But I know she'll do it anyway."

"You're damn right I will."

Kie sighed, putting her hands on her hips. She hung her head.

"Go fast," she said. "We'll need your help."

You stood up quickly and threw your arms around her neck.

"Thank you," you breathed. She didn't hug you back.

"Be back here before it gets too dark," she said as you pulled away. "We're going to try and talk to Sarah and figure out everything else tomorrow and you need to be there for the planning."

You nodded your head. JJ shuffled around in his backpack and pulled out his gun. You stared at it for a moment, not really wanting to take it from him. But you did. It was heavy in your hand, cool to the touch.

"You be safe," Pope said, standing to give you a hug. You turned to JJ last, but now he wouldn't look at you.

"I'll be fine," you said, trying to smile. He glanced over at you.

"You weren't last time."

"I have this," you said, showing him the gun. "And you all know where I am. If I'm more than...four hours, just come get me. What could go wrong?"

JJ stood and hooked an arm around your neck.

"Don't say that. You'll jinx it," he said. You laughed and pushed yourself away from him. This was feeling a little bit too much like a goodbye for your liking.

"I'll see you guys in four hours, okay?" You said, tucking the gun into your waistband and then covering it with your shirt.

"Four hours," Kie echoed. "I'm holding you to that."

You gave her a thumbs up and turned toward the door. You stepped outside, sucking in a deep breath and then letting it out slowly.

"Ellie, wait up!"

You turned around just in time for JJ to crash into you. You laughed as he put his arms around you and pulling you into a hug.

"I'll be okay, Maybank," you said, trying to wiggle out of his grip, but he wasn't about to let you go. "Really, JJ, it's gonna be okay."

"Can I come with you?" he asked, taking a step back but grabbing hold of your hand so that he was still touching you somehow. You shook your head.

"That would probably be a bad idea," you told him. "But I'll be back in time to come with you tomorrow."

"So, you get to come to my house but I can't come to yours?"

"I'd like to remind you of the number of times you've been to my house," you said and squeezed his hand. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course."

"Then trust me to do this. He's my brother. I need to make sure he is safe before I do anything that could put any of us in harm's way."

JJ nodded his head slowly. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against your lips. There it was again. That goodbye feeling. You gave his cheek a quick kiss before stepping away from him.

"I'll see you soon," he said. You nodded your head, taking another step back. You waved before turning around the corner of the building.

***

The sun was starting to set by the time you made it to your house. You snuck through the trees, a very definite path made from all the times JJ and the others snuck up to your room. But instead of climbing onto the roof and tapping on your window, you knocked gently on Kid's.

For a moment, you heard nothing. His curtains were closed, so you couldn't even tell if he was in there. But then you saw a form nearing through the curtains. A smile spread across your face when Kid pulled the curtains back. It took him a moment to recognize that it was you, but then he grinned. Throwing the window open, he had his arms around your neck before you could climb inside.

"I thought you were dead," he whispered.

"Why would I be dead?" You asked with half of a laugh, holding him tight.

"Dad made me clean up the blood. There was so much of it, I...I didn't know-"

His voice broke and you squeezed him even tighter.

"I'm okay," you told him, kissing the side of his head. "I promise, I'm okay."

Kid pulled back from you, giving you a good look at his face. Your stomach and smile dropped, hands tightening. Kid lowered his head, knowing that you could see the bruise under his eye.

"I asked too many questions," he muttered. "Dad got angry."

You climbed inside and put your hands on either side of his face, tilting his face toward yours.

"You're not safe here anymore," you told him. Kid's mouth fell open to protest. "Neither of us are. You need to pack a bag and go over to Dex's."

"El, Dad would never let-"

"Doesn't matter what Dad wants. I need you to pack a bag," you told him, stepping away. "Is Dad here now?"

"Hasn't come home yet," Kid said, dropping to the ground and pulling his backpack out from under his bed. "What did he do to you?"

You shook your head, watching Kid carefully as he moved over to his dresser.

"Would Dex take you in? No questions asked?" Kid nodded as he shoved clothes into his bag. "Good. I'm taking you there now."

"El, wait." Kid put the backpack on. "What's going on?"

You knelt down in front of him.

"My friends are in trouble, Kid," you told him, putting your hands on his arms. "And I have to help them. But I can't do that unless I know you are safe, okay? If something happens to me, I can't have you staying here."

"What's going to happen to you?" He asked, holding back a pout.

"Nothing bad," you said, brushing his cheek with your thumb and trying to smile. "Come on, let's go."

Kid took your hand and the two of you started for the door. Your heart pounded in your chest as the two of you hurried down the stairs.

"Back door," you said, pulling him in that direction.

"Wait!" Kid stopped suddenly. "I forgot something."

You froze, glancing at the front door. It was right around the time that your dad would be back. It could be any second that he walked through the front door. Still, you let Kid's hand go. Kid ran back upstairs, taking them two at a time. You watched the door carefully, waiting for it to open.

Kid came running out of his room with a photograph in his hand and a grin on his face. He was halfway down the stairs when the lock on the front door flipped. Your stomach dropped.

"Kid!" You whispered, your hand going for the gun still in your waistband. But he froze on the stairs, his fingers curling around the railing. "Back upstairs."

Still, he didn't move, eyes fixed on the door as it started to open.

You had seen plenty of Westerns, where the sheriff and the outlaw stared each other down, the stereotypical whistle trilling in the background. This felt something like that. Fingers flexing, you itched to pull out your gun. Your dad was staring you down, standing just inside the door.

"What are you doing here?" He asked finally, his voice carrying through the entryway. You didn't glance up at Kid, even though you wanted to.

"Wanted to see Kid," you said, voice tight. Your dad narrowed his eyes. He looked up at Kid, saw his backpack, and then looked back at you.

"Just to see him?" Your dad asked, tilting his head to the side. "Why's he got a backpack then?"

You shrugged.

"Likes his backpack?"

Your dad took a step forward. It was the first step of the showdown. Your heart leaped. The battle for Kid had begun.

"Go, Kid!" You said, starting for the stairs. As soon as Kid started running back up the stairs, your dad made to run after him. Whoever got there first would indicate whether or not Kid made it out of his window. You just had to be faster.

You made it to the stairs with a few seconds to spare. You pulled your gun from your shorts, lifting it up just as your dad reached the stairs. Your hands shook, but your gaze was steady. He stepped away from the gun that was trained on his chest. He froze where he was, glaring up at you.

"You don't want to do that," he said, lifting his hands slowly into the air.

"Try me," you seethed. Even though your entire body trembled, your eyes told him that you weren't backing down.

"Give me that gun, Elma," he said, speaking slowly. "I won't even ask where you got it. We can go get Kid before he gets hurt."

"Kid's fine." You breathed steadily, trying to force your hands and legs to stop shaking.

"He's out there, alone in the dark." Your dad was fighting to keep his voice from betraying too much of his emotion. "I thought you always wanted to keep him safe."

"I do. I am. He's far safer out there than he is in here with you," you said. He tightened his jaw, his eyes narrowing into slits. "I'm going to leave now and you're going to let me."

Your dad scoffed never once taking his eyes off of you.

"Did you tell your little friends about the message I left for you?" He asked, a smirk pulling at his lips. You glared, your hands going suddenly still. Thinking about JJ and Pope and Kie and John B, any ounce of fear was gone from your system.

"Yeah," you said, tightening your grip on the gun. "Yeah, I did. And guess what? Your warning didn't work."

Your dad's smug look dropped.

"Doesn't matter," he said.

"You're gonna have to try a hell of a lot harder if you want to get rid of me," you said with a bitter laugh. That was the wrong thing to say. Your dad glanced down at the gun in your hand then back up at you. Heart stopping in your chest, you knew what was coming long before he lunged at you.

***

"JJ, she told us she'd meet us in four hours. It hasn't even been that long yet," Pope said as JJ pulled Kie's car to a stop. After their trip to the Cameron house, Pope was in a piss ass mood. JJ wasn't entirely sure what had gone down between him and Kie, but it was clearly getting under both of their skin.

"We'll just wait out here until she comes out. She shouldn't have to walk all the way back to the Wreck," JJ said, turning off the car.

There were only there for a few moments before Kie spotted something rustling in the woods.

"That's coming from our path," Kie said, pointing.

"Maybe it's just a squirrel," Pope said, putting a hand over his eyes.

"That's way too big for a squirrel," JJ said, popping open the door.

"Where are you going?" Kie sighed. She opened the car door and followed after JJ. Pope stayed in the car, moping.

JJ and Kie ran toward the path through the woods that they had trampled to get to Ellie's bedroom window. They didn't even reach the path before a small form came barrelling onto the road.

"Kid!" JJ yelled as the boy stumbled, tripping on the lip of the street and falling flat on the ground. Kie and JJ ran over to him, helping him onto his feet. At the sight of Kid, Pope slowly exited the car.

"JJ!" As soon as Kid was back on his feet, he threw his arms around JJ's waist and squeezed his eyes tight.

"Kid, hey, what's going on?" JJ asked, pulling Kid back and crouching on the ground to talk to him face to face.

"El came in and then she told me to go to Dex's and then Dad came home," Kid said, tears running down his face. "She told me to run. I shouldn't have left her, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left her!"

"It's okay," Kie said, putting her hands on Kid's shoulders. "You're safe now."

"Kid, where's Ellie?" JJ asked, putting his hands on Kid's face in an attempt to get him to focus. "Where's-"

A gunshot tore through the night, pulling JJ's attention away from Kid toward the house. Kie gasped, taking a step back.

"What the-" Pope put his hands on top of his head.

JJ breathed heavily, watching the house with wide eyes. There was a moment of calm, of silence. No one breathed, no one moved. When the second gunshot went off, JJ scrambled to his feet. Pope intercepted him on his way up the road toward the house.

"Get the hell out of my way, man!" JJ tried to shove Pope back, but his friend was standing firm.

"We have to think about this," Pope said, putting his hands up. Kie had her arms around Kid, keeping him from following JJ.

"What's there to think about?" JJ said, still trying to get around Pope.

Before Pope could answer, they heard the door slam open. Out from the front door came Gerald, stumbling as he tried to leave as fast as he could. All four of them watched as he made for the trees.

"Oh, my god," Kie gasped for breath, tightening her grip on Kid as he sobbed. "Oh, my god."

"He shot her," JJ breathed, his words ragged and full of rage. "That bastard fucking shot her."

When JJ took off toward the house, Pope didn't try to stop him. Instead, Pope was right on his heels.

"Go back to the car, Kid," Kie said, turning him around to face her. "We'll get your sister."

"Wait-"

"Now!"

Kid nodded his tear-streaked head and ran back to the car, his backpack bouncing up and down, throwing off his momentum. Once he was in the car, Kie took off toward the house.

The house was empty and dead silent. All of the downstairs lights were off, shrouding the lower rooms in darkness.

"Where is she?" JJ asked, turning toward his friends. Kie shrugged.

"Gun." Pope pointed to the ground at the foot of the stairs. JJ spun around toward it and bent down to pick it up. "Dude! Don't touch it!"

"What?" JJ asked, scowling.

"If he did shoot Elm and you touch that thing, who do you think they're gonna go after?" Pope asked. "We don't need another John B."

JJ huffed but he didn't grab the gun.

"I'll check upstairs for her," JJ said, looking up.

"We'll look around down here," Kie told him.

"We?" Pope turned to look at her, but she just rolled her eyes and headed off toward the dining room.

JJ took the stairs two at a time, pushing open Gerald's door, the bathroom door, and then kid's door, only to find nothing. No Ellie.

He burst into Ellie's room, looking around. When he didn't see her immediately, his heart started to beat faster than it already was. He made his way toward her small bathroom and pushed the door open.

"Oh, my god," he breathed. "Ellie."

She lay in the bathtub, cradling her arm to her chest. The tub was covered in blood, Ellie's blood. Her eyes were drooping but she blinked slowly, telling JJ that she was still alive at least. When she looked up and saw JJ, she almost smiled. She breathed heavily once, looking down at her arm, her smile falling.

"Oh, god." The reality of the situation hit JJ like a barreling train. He dropped to his knees beside the tub. He grabbed Ellie's bleeding arm, pressing his palms against her cuts. "Help!"

Pope and Kie came thundering up the stairs and into the small bathroom. Pope gagged, bringing a fist up to cover his nose.

"Help me," JJ said, holding onto her arm as tight as he could. "Help me!"

"Uh...uh," Pope swatted Kie with his hand. "Go find some-some tape or something."

Kie nodded her head and turned back around and ran from the bathroom. Pope pulled a towel off of the towel rack and ran over to JJ, handing the towel off to him.

"Keep applying pressure," Pope said. JJ took the towel and pressed it against the wound on her arm.

"Come on, baby girl," JJ said, trying to smile at Ellie. "Keep your eyes open."

"I didn't mean to," she said as she lifted her other hand. Her voice was weak, fragile. "I just wanted to make it go away."

In her other hand was a knife, the tip of it slick with blood. JJ's eyes narrowed. He slowly moved the towel from Ellie's arm. The word her father had carved into her skin was now a bloody mess, completely unreadable.

"I found some tape," Kie said as she ran back into the bathroom. Pope took it from her, grabbing another towel. He pulled JJ's hands away from Ellie, replacing the old towel with the new one. He took the tape and wrapped it around the towel as best he could.

"We need to get her to a hospital," Pope said, standing. "Now."

"I'll start the car," Kie said, running from the bathroom once again.

"I didn't mean to," Ellie mumbled again.

"Put your arms around me," JJ whispered to her. Ellie did as she was told, lamely wrapping her arms around his neck. JJ scooped her up and out of the tub. Pope held up Ellie's head as JJ carried her back to the car. Kie already had it started, Kid sitting up in the front seat. He was sitting on his knees, mouth hanging open at the sight of his sister. Kid moved to open the door, but Kie grabbed him and pulled him back into his seat.

Pope opened the back door for JJ, who slid into the seat with Ellie still on his lap. As soon as Pope was in the car, he called for Kie to drive. She didn't hesitate to turn the car around and take off down the road.

"Is she going to die?" Kid asked, half hiding behind the headrest. JJ looked up at Kid, resting a hand on Ellie's face.

"No, little man. She's not gonna die." JJ turned his gaze back to Ellie as Kie barrelled down the street. "You're going to be just fine."

***

You woke with a gasp, your eyes snapping open suddenly. You fought for breath as you sucked in lungfuls of air as quickly as you could, hands curling around the blankets of your bed.

Not your bed. No, these blankets were too scratchy to be yours. It took you a few moments of trying to remember where you were...and why.
JJ had carried you into the hospital, blood dripping down your arm. Then he and Kie and Pope left because they still had to help John B escape. You remembered the doctor's patching up your arm, asking you questions about what happened. You think you told them the truth, but you weren't really sure.

Once you realized where you were, you started to calm slightly. Still breathing heavily, you shut your eyes, hoping that everything that happened would just go away.

"How are you doing, darling?" A voice asked from beside you. You jumped, turning toward the sudden voice. Ms. Lana smiled at you, holding a cup of tea in her hands. Water filled your eyes at the sight of her, a hiccup stopping in your throat. Ms. Lana opened her arms and walked toward you, engulfing you in a hug. She held you tight, rocking you back and forth. Your eyes were strangely dry as she held you.

A sudden thought forced you to pull away, sitting up straight.

"Where's Kid?" You asked, eyes wide with fear. You remembered that he was in the car with you, but you couldn't remember seeing him after you got to the hospital. Ms. Lana smiled and tucked a piece of hair behind your ear.

"He's safe," she told you. You let out a heavy breath and looked at your hands. "He's at my house."

"Thank you, Ms. Lana," you whispered, not really trusting your own voice. Ms. Lana ran her fingers carefully through your hair.

"I am so sorry I never saw what that man did to you," she said. Your stomach squeezed, not really wanting to think about it. Ms. Lana waited to see if you would respond, but you didn't. "I want...I want to offer you and Kid a home...with me."

You looked up at her, startled by her words. In all your years of planning, you had never considered the possibility of someone on Kildare taking you and Kid in, especially not someone you knew. Your mouth ran dry at the thought of it. Living on the cut with Ms. Lana, being able to spend time freely with JJ and the Pogues, not having to fear about whether or not you were going to sleep with bruises or not. Tears filled your eyes and quiet gasps shook your chest.

"You don't have to give me an answer right away-"

"Yes," you said, a tear falling from your eye. "I would love to live with you."

Ms. Lana reached out and pulled you into another hug. This time, you did actually start to cry. That life you always wanted was right here with Ms. Lana. She held you tight, like a real parent should, gently rubbing her hand up and down your back.

"I've got you, my girl," Ms. Lana cooed. "You're safe now."

Her words just made you sob even harder. You were safe. Safe. That wasn't a word you often found yourself able to use.

"I'm going to go talk to the cop outside, okay?" Ms. Lana told you. "He'll help me get the right papers. But I have to leave for a few minutes. Is that okay?"

You nodded your head slowly. Ms. Lana stood, never dropping her smile. She walked toward the door, keeping her eyes on you for as long as you can. As soon as she was out of the door, your smile fell. That feeling of safe was gone just as quickly as it had come.

You stared blankly at the wall, your eyes glazing over as you cradled your newly bandaged arm. You knew that closing your eyes would just take you back to last night, but staring at the wall didn't help.

The screaming. The gun. The fear. The bathtub. The blood.

Oh, god. The blood.

Your hands started to tremble, your breathing short and shaky.

Maybe if you could think about something else. Think about JJ and Pope and Kie. Looking up at the clock on the wall, it said that there were still four more hours until their designated meeting time with John B at the docks. You should be out there helping them get the Phantom and supplies, but instead, here you were in a hospital bed, useless.

One of the nurses tapped on your door. You closed your eyes, trying to collect yourself quickly. You steadied your breathing and tucked your hands under the blanket so no one could see them shake. The nurse opened the door and gave a smile.

"There's someone here to see you," she said, a glint of pity in her eyes as she looked down at your arm. You nodded your head. The nurse stepped out of the way, giving you only a moment to wonder who it was. Your first thought was JJ, but he was busy. Ms. Lana said Kid was at her home. The only other two people who you could possibly imagine visiting you in the hospital were on the run from the cops; Rafe and your dad.

It was none of the above.

When the woman stepped into the doorway, you recognized her instantly. With her hair curled perfectly, her lips painted without a flaw. Her shoes matched her nail polish which matched the handbag she held in front of her. A smile pulled at her lips, tears of pity in her eyes. Three years and nothing had changed.

"Mom?"